Info

Job Erasmus MC - Post-doc

The Erasmus MC plans to appoint a Post-doc for the department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, section Gynecologic Oncology.

Job description

The Wnt/beta-catenin signal transduction pathway plays a rate-limiting role in early development of many different organs in a broad spectrum of organisms. In the embryo, Wnt/beta-catenin signaling regulates various fundamental processes throughout development, and both its loss and constitutive activation lead to major defects in cell specification and pattern formation. In the adult, Wnt/beta-catenin signaling has a central function in the maintenance and control of stem cell compartments where it regulates the fine balance between stemness (Wnt-on) and differentiation (Wnt-off). This central role in homeostasis of adult stem cell niches is reflected by the frequent association of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling defects with different cancer types (e.g. breast, colon, stomach, liver, ovary, uterine, skin, etc).

In the current project we plan to investigate the role of Wnt signal transduction in endometrial malignancy. Central to the proposal is the hypothesis according to which, during the menstrual cycle, sex hormones modulate Wnt signaling in the endometrium to maintain the monthly balance between estrogen-induced proliferation and progesterone-induced differentiation. Our own data (Wang et al., 2009) and data from literature provide a solid basis for this novel hypothesis.

Next to the use of human tissues, different mouse models are important to answer the here raised questions. We have chosen to study activation of the Wnt pathway in young adult mice using specific hypomorphic and inducible mutations in the central switch of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, the Apc gene (adenomatous polyposis coli). Of this gene our laboratory holds an allelic series known to result in specific differentiation defects and organ-specific tumors in a dosage-dependent fashion.

The experimental plan is divided into two phases:
1.  Role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in endometrial tumor formation and malignant progression.
2.  Identification of Wnt/β-catenin downstream targets conserved between human and mouse endometrial tumors.

By employing human tissues and in vivo mice models to study cellular effects and downstream effectors of Wnt signal transduction, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying growth and differentiation of the neoplastic endometrium will be elucidated. Ultimately, these investigations will result in identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic markers, and of therapeutic targets towards prevention and clinical management of pathological conditions related to aberrant endometrial cell growth and homeostasis.

Requirements

We are looking for an enthusiastic young scientist who has recently completed his/her Ph.D. in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or a similar discipline, and has knowledge of and experience with molecular biology techniques. She/he should have an interest for developmental biology and molecular and cellular health sciences. Furthermore good communicative skills are important in view of the strong collaborative character of the research project (two different departments within the Erasmus University Medical Center will be actively involved: Obstetrics & Gynecology (Prof. dr. C.W. Burger, Dr. ir. L.J. Blok) and Pathology (Prof. dr. R. Fodde). The research will be conducted at the Josephine Nefkens Institute, directly linked with the ErasmusMC, in Rotterdam.

Conditions of employment

As a Postdoc you will be assigned a temporary position at the Erasmus MC with a maximum of 3 years (KWF project). The gross monthly salary is € 2.435,- minimum and € 3.860,- maximum. The conditions of employment are in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Medical Centers (CAO UMC).

Contract type

Temporary

3 years

Organisation

Erasmus MC

Erasmus MC is an internationally recognized center for high-quality, compassionate care, highly rated transfer of knowledge and high-quality knowledge development in the fields of illness and health.

Department

The department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is divided in three subdivisions: Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology; Reproductive Medicine; Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine. All three subdivisions are dedicated to patient care as well as scientific research. The department is part of the Erasmus University Medical Center, located in the center of Rotterdam.

Additional information

For information about this position, please contact Dr. ir. Leen Blok, telephone (+31) (0)6-29320388. For other information contact Marinella Dammers-Prazen, HRM Advisor, telephone (+31) (10) 703 4351.

 

The short URL code for this job opening is: 3628
Direct link to this job www.academictransfer.com/3628