The candidate should have a master in the field of (bio)medical sciences, engineering or equivalent.
● Sufficient knowledge about human genetics
● Basic knowledge (or at least interested) in bioinformatics
● Expertise in cell culture, microscopy and/or flow cytometry (from Masterthesis) is an added value.
● The candidate has excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.
● He/she is highly motivated to work in a multidisciplinary research team, as well as independently, has an open communication style and has a problem-solving attitude.
● The candidate is expected to apply for a PhD grant at the beginning of the PhD period, for example through the Flemish research funds (Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek).
Disruptions in megakaryocyte maturation and platelet formation can be caused by an inherited disorder. Studying platelet biogenesis in humans is very challenging due to the limitations of bone marrow sampling. Although the two main platelet receptors, GPIb-IX-V and integrin αIIbβ3, have been identified and extensively studied for their role in platelet function for decades, their involvement in platelet biogenesis remains unclear. Thus, this project seeks to identify the pathological mechanisms (genes and pathways) that contribute to impaired platelet formation in Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS), Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT), and GT-like syndrome. We plan to leverage patient studies, cell models, and transcriptomics to pinpoint key factors involved in pathogenic platelet biogenesis. Should candidate genes and pathways be identified, they will be further explored in pluripotent stem cell-derived disease models and patients with unexplained inherited thrombocytopenia. In the long term, our goal is also to improve platelet biogenesis through in vitro megakaryocyte culture assays, based on insights gained from this research.PhD position is available in the group of Prof. Kathleen Freson at the Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology within the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences (KU Leuven). The lab is located on the Gasthuisberg campus of KULeuven in Leuven, Belgium, a rich biomedical research environment neighboring the University Hospital UZLeuven.
● A full-time (100%) doctoral fellowship for one year (which will be extended after positive evaluation).
● Enrollment in the Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences at KU Leuven
● Access to state-of-the-art technologies and a rich training environment