Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive, disabling demyelinating, neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system. Current disease-modifying therapies are non-curative and do not reverse progression. Existing experimental MS models lack important aspects of progressive MS pathology and many drugs that showed promise in these preclinical models ultimately failed in clinical trials in humans. To better comprehend the mechanisms underlying MS pathology, novel models are required that more reliable recapitulate the onset and progression of MS. In this project, you will develop novel hiPSC-derived 3D MS-organoids and organotypic slice cultures that are reminiscent of MS lesions. You will exploit the models to identify targets and develop novel therapeutic tools for (progressive) MS, focusing on myelin repair. In addition, in a collaborative project with MS Center Amsterdam (Prof. dr H.E. de Vries), you will create a novel human in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model using vessel on a chip technology. You will use hiPSCs from people with MS and investigate which glia-BBB interactions underly MS pathology. The developed MS models offer the opportunity to maximize predictions of candidate therapeutic molecules and will contribute to a better understanding of MS.

The position is funded by MoveS and Stichting MS Research.

References: PMID: 37833292; PMID: 37340488; PMID: 35366978; PMID: 35090578