Intrinsic repair of articular cartilage has long been thought to be unattainable but recent insights show that repair of articular cartilage is an achievable option. However it is not clear why in some cases articular cartilage repair does not occur and why under specific conditions it can take place. It is accepted that a major determinant of successful repair is the intra-articular milieu in a joint, a “catabolic” joint milieu blocking cartilage repair while an “anabolic” joint milieu is permissive for intrinsic cartilage repair. Yet, it is not known which factors characterize an “anabolic” or a “catabolic” joint milieu.

In this collaborative project we will set up a high throughput, miniature and fast bioassay that will be able to discriminate between “anabolic” and “catabolic” joints. The novel rapid bioassay that we will be developing will be the base for protein mass-spectrometry-based identification of the factors in synovial fluid that reflect the “anabolic” and “catabolic” state of a joint.

The research will be carried out as part a novel Dutch national consortium called “William Hunter Revisited: Activating intrinsic cartilage repair to restore joint homeostasis”, a consortium consisting of 5 University Medical Centers, 12 companies and a number of medical charities. The project is funded by NWO/STW within the Perspective research program.
 
This particular project within the consortium is a collaboration between the Department of Experimental Rheumatology (Prof. dr. van der Kraan, Radboud university medical center) and the Department of Orthopedic Surgery (Dr. Welting, Maastricht University Medical Center+). Two vacancies for PhD students are available; one in the van de Kraan group (Nijmegen) and one in the Welting group (Maastricht). Both PhD-students are expected to work synergistically in this project.

The PhD student:

• has finished a master in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Molecular Life Sciences or a related master;
• has well developed molecular biology skills, experience with molecular cloning, and preferably cell culture, and bioluminescence techniques;
• is socially competent to work in a multidisciplinary team with excellent communication skills;
• has a good set of organizational skills:
• has experience or at least a strong interest in molecular cartilage biology research.

Fixed-term contract: Employment will be for four years.

Salary is € 2244 gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 2874 gross per month in the last fourth year, plus additional vacation bonus (8% per year) and end of year payments (8.3% per year);

Radboudumc (university medical center)

The Radboudumc center advances human knowledge by conducting biomedical, translational and clinical research in order to improve wellbeing.

Our key strength is medical life-sciences and clinical practice, with an impressive infrastructure comprising state-of-the-art technology platforms and (translational) research facilities. The Radboudumc is therefore uniquely positioned in the emerging Euregio and Dutch healthcare infrastructure to play a leading role in the new healthcare paradigm of prediction, prevention and personalised medicine.

The Radboudumc focuses on scientific health challenges of today, with an eye on emerging diseases of the future.

Our mission: ‘to have a significant impact on healthcare’.