ESR4 – Exosome transport and uptake across biological barriers

Host institution: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria
Host department: Center for Health & Bioresources / Molecular Diagnostics
Supervisor: Dr. Christa Noehammer & Dr. Winfried Neuhaus

Project description
The present ESR project will investigate the uptake and transport of extracellular vesicles (EVs) with a focus on biological barriers. Barrier studies will include the blood-brain barrier as well as the blood-saliva barrier applying human and mouse cell model systems. EVs derived from control and stimulated (e.g. via cytokines or hypoxia) prostate cancer cell lines will be studied for their effects on biological barrier properties and their uptake and transport processes across brain endothelial as well as salivary or oral epithelial cells. Whereas EV uptake and transport will be followed by applying specific dyes and labelling constructs, changes in exosome cargo will be studied e.g. using OLINK panel assays for protein profiling and small RNA sequencing for miRNA profiling. In addition, three secondments for a time period of 1-3 months are foreseen for the AIT ESR. At Erasmus MC, the ESR candidate will learn about a specific EV quantification method (EVQuant). In Dr. Falcon-Perez’s lab (Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences) she/he will study the routes on labelled EVs in the oral mucosa and brain of mice. At EVLifeCycle partner GenomeScan the ESR will learn about dedicated NGS technologies and related bioinformatics analysis.

Type of contract
Fixed-term position for 36 months
Full-time, 30 hrs per week

Required expertise and skills in addition to the general eligibility criteria
• Master degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or a related field.
• Molecular biology skills (nucleic acid isolation, PCR), experience in working with proteins and cell cultures (potentially based on iPSC-derived cells).
• Knowledge of bioinformatic techniques will be beneficial, at least basic understanding of data analysis e.g. using Microsoft Excel.
• Highly-motivated individuals, willing to interact and travel to other members of the research consortium. Excellent communication skills in English both in spoken and written.

Website
Dr. Winfried Neuhaus: http://www.ait.ac.at/ueber-das-ait/researcher-profiles/?tx_aitprofile_pi1%5Bname%5D=Neuhaus%20Winfried

Contact details
For more information about this position, please contact:
Dr. Christa Noehammer: christa.noehammer@ait.ac.at