PhD student in Skeletal Stem/Progenitor Cell Biology

at  KU Leuven

PHD STUDENT IN SKELETAL STEM/PROGENITOR CELL BIOLOGY

(ref. BAP-2024-671)
Laatst aangepast: 21/10/24
Research in the Laboratory of Skeletal Cell Biology and Physiology (SCEBP Lab, led by Prof Dr Christa Maes) focuses on the molecular and genetic control of skeletal stem cells and progenitors for bone-forming osteoblasts [1, 2], with special interests in how they function to mediate bone homeostasis and fracture repair [3], how they associate and crosstalk with the vasculature and the hematopoietic cells of the bone marrow [4], and how they interplay with other tissues and contribute to the regulation of systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and the development of obesity and diabetes [5]. By gaining mechanistic insights in skeletal cell biology and physiology we aim to contribute to the development of new treatments for stimulating bone formation and regeneration, which are much needed as bone integrity and regeneration are strongly compromised by ageing, osteoporosis, and metabolic disorders.
Our prime working models are genetically modified mice, including inducible and site-specific mouse mutants and transgenic mice carrying fluorescent reporters for in vivo lineage tracing and cell fate mapping. Specific skeletal cell populations of interest are thereby visualized by advanced deep-tissue 3D imaging methods [6], quantified and isolated by flow cytometry and FACS, and characterized by molecular methods. In our recent previous work, we have studied osteogenic progenitor cells associating with angiogenic blood vessels and characterized the importance of specific molecules and signalling pathways for bone formation during growth, fracture repair, and ageing. We now obtained funding to join forces with the Laboratory for Computational Cancer Biology and Epigenomics at the KU Leuven Department of Oncology, led by Prof Dr Pavlo Lutsik, to deepen our understanding and gain new insights in the regulation and activation of skeletal stem/progenitor cells in health and disease.
References:
1. Melis et al. (2024). Skeletal stem and progenitor cells in bone physiology, ageing and disease. Nat Rev Endocrinol. Doi: 10.1038/s41574-024-01039-y.
2. Trompet et al. (2024). Skeletal stem and progenitor cells in bone development and repair. J Bone Miner Res. Doi: 10.1093/jbmr/zjae069.
3. Böhm et al. (2019). Activation of Skeletal Stem and Progenitor Cells for Bone Regeneration is Driven by PDGFRbeta Signaling. Dev Cell. Doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.08.013.
4. Mesnieres et al. (2021). Fetal hematopoietic stem cell homing is controlled by VEGF regulating the integrity and oxidative status of the stromal-vascular bone marrow niches. Cell Rep. Doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109618.
5. Dirckx et al. (2018). Vhl deletion in osteoblasts boosts cellular glycolysis and improves global glucose metabolism. J Clin Invest. Doi: 10.1172/JCI97794.
6. Peredo et al. (2022). Visualization and quantification of the stromal-vascular compartment in fetal or adult mouse bones: from sampling to high-resolution 3D image analysis. STAR Protoc (Cell Press). Doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101222.
Website van de eenheid

PROFILE

We are looking for a bright and highly motivated PhD candidate with specialized training in cell and molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry and biomedical research methods. Fitting candidates to join our team are expected to be very engaged, pro-active, and creative, eager to drive their research project, and with good critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities. The work of a PhD student includes designing research protocols, planning and performing experiments (both independently and as part of a team, with training by experienced researchers), analyzing data, reporting results to supervisors and colleagues, and discussing the findings to shape and outline the next steps. Therefore, good organisational skills, time and project management, and ability to delineate priorities, are required. An eagerness to learn is essential, as is a strong will to gain deep mechanistic understanding of the systems under study and to find answers to important questions in skeletal cell biology.
Candidates should hold a Masters’ degree in a relevant area (e.g., biomedical sciences or engineering) or an equivalent diploma, with minimally a final ‘cum laude’ grade. Skills and experience in mouse genetics or other in vivo work, histology, microscopy, molecular biology and/or (transcript)omics data analysis, is not expected but certainly a plus.
Excellent written and oral communication skills are needed. Demonstrated ability to write research reports (e.g., a master thesis) or other manuscripts to a publishable standard (even if not published to date) is expected.

Please refer the Job description for details