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KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
Visit the employer pageKU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
Visit the employer pagePostdoc position is available in the group of Prof. Kathleen Freson at the Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology at KU Leuven for a project on inherited bleeding disorders (focus on platelets and endothelial cells)
The lab is located on the Gasthuisberg campus of KULeuven in Leuven, Belgium, a rich biomedical research environment neighboring the University Hospital UZLeuven.
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Bleeding is controlled by interplays between platelets, coagulation, and fibrinolysis. DNA variants in genes that encode for regulators of these three processes are known to cause inherited forms of bleeding. We however feel that bleeding of unknown aetiology is not diagnosed as we don’t screen in known laboratory assays for endothelial cell dysfunction or unknown regulators of bleeding present in plasma. Genes are not known for such dysfunctions and as such, the diagnostic rate for patients remains very low.
Still today many patients don’t receive a diagnosis even though their complete genome has been analysed and this is especially true again for patients with an unexplained bleeding disorder as we don’t understand their dysfunction and therefore, can’t pinpoint candidate genes and variants obtained in the analysed genomes.
In this project, we aim to address the shortcomings mentioned by the following approaches. 1. Plasma proteomics and RNAseq of patient-derived Blood Outgrowth Endothelial Cells (BOEC) will be obtained from patients an unexplained bleeding disorder to better understand their bleeding phenotype and next to explore their WGS data. 2. BOEC and a stem cell-based model for megakaryocyte and platelet production will be used to study genes discovered for bleeding disorders.
This project will provide novel insights in the biology underlying bleeding and especially the cell-based models will be of use for therapeutic discoveries in the future.
The current position is for 1 year, and you will be expected to apply for fellowships during that year.
The position can be extended, based on satisfactory progress in the first year.
Applications should include a CV, motivation letter, and references' contact information relevant to your research or training.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Kathleen Freson, mail: kathleen.freson@kuleuven.be.
KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.
KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
Visit the employer page