PhD candidate 'Assessing the formation and functional interplay of astrocytes and neurons in human...

This PhD position is available for a fixed term of 4 years to perform research aimed at assessing mechanisms of neural developmental disorders (NDD) in human specific models of neurodevelopment. Approximately 2% of children are born with severe neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) for which there is no effective treatment due in part to a lack of understanding of the mechanism of disease.

In the past years our lab has made significant progress in establishing human specific, induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)- derived 2D and 3D cellular models of brain development in an effort to understand the underlying pathobiology of NDDs. Patient-derived and CRISPR/Cas9 genetically edited hiPSCs will be used to understand the functional interplay between neurons and astrocytes during key developmental stages of corticogenesis and neural circuitry formation within the context of health and disease. Astrocytes are a specialized type of brain cell, named for their star shaped morphology, that function to support and fine tune communication between neurons and recent works have shown that disruptions in the communication between astrocytes and neurons leads to neurodevelopmental disorders.

The functional phenotyping will employ measurements using state of the art high-density microelectrode arrays (MEAs) on 2-dimensional neuronal networks as well as on early developmental stages of brain organoids. These assays provide us with a platform to screen potential drug candidates as our results establish targets for treatment options.

Our research team at the Radboud university medical center is renowned for its genetic, molecular and electrophysiological research in the field of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. Over the past years we have developed unique knowledge and resources, such as the availability of large molecular datasets on patients with NDDs, and human (patient and CRISPR/Cas9 genetically edited) induced pluripotent stem cell lines, including the required experimental platforms for in-detail assessment of the derived human cerebral organoids as well as neuronal in-vitro network models.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Designs and performs scientific research.
• Works in a team with PhD students, scientists and clinicians.
• Discusses, plans and performs research in a stimulating environment.
• Works in a highly international research group and is willing to travel to other institutes within Europe.