PhD project on molecular morphogenesis and clinical relevance of prostate cancer growth patterns

Microscopical growth patterns are key to grading and treatment of prostate cancer patients. The aim of this project is to elucidate cellular mechanisms underlying growth pattern formation, linking cellular polarity and interactions to two- and three-dimensional tumour morphology, clinical risk stratification and patient treatment. State-of-the-art RNAseq, spatial transcriptomics and immunofluorescent three-dimensional imaging of clinical prostate cancer samples will be applied to unravel the molecular-biological mechanisms underlying aberrant growth pattern formation. Novel insights will be used to optimize pathological grading and improve prediction of clinical outcome in well-characterized patient cohorts.

The position is open to both Dutch and international biomedical MSc's and MD's with interest in molecular morphogenesis and pathology. Depending on the candidate's background, the focus of the project can be more biological or clinical.

For MSc's, the project is an excellent opportunity for doing cutting edge research at the multidisciplinary intersection of molecular-biology, structural and clinical pathology, and patient health care. For MD's, the current PhD position is an outstanding starting point for a pathology residency.

Erasmus MC is the largest university medical centre in The Netherlands. The Department of Pathology is responsible for state-of-the-art patient health care and provides an excellent research work environment. The department is housed in the oncological research building, facilitating close multidisciplinary collaborations with pathology, urology, oncology, bioinformatics and imaging research groups, and offering access to the latest technological advancements.

Prostate and bladder cancer are 2 of the main research themes of the Pathology department and Cancer Research Institute. Research activities focus on linking molecular-biology, pathology and clinical medicine, for tomorrow's risk stratification and treatment of cancer patients. The Van Leenders prostate pathology team consists of 5 PhD students, and shares lab and office space with more than 20 international and Dutch uro-oncology research colleagues.