Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, marked by inflammation and neurodegeneration. Current immunomodulatory therapies are clearly effective in decreasing relapse activity, yet the risk of developing progressive MS is not mitigated. Despite advances in understanding mechanism(s) driving neurodegeneration, tailored clinical trials aimed at preserving axons by promoting remyelination have thus far failed to provide effective therapeutic interventions for progressive MS. Our recent findings point to localized neurogenesis in a subset of MS lesions by an OPC-to-neuron conversion in response to microenvironmental changes. This project aims to identify signals triggering neurogenesis within MS lesions. You will leverage single-nucleus RNAseq data and generate spatial imaging and transcriptomic profiles at subcellular resolution of MS lesions, to delineate the transition states of OPC-to-neuron transformation and decipher the involved receptor-ligand interaction(s). In addition, the project entails to replicate the neurogenic process using MS-iPSC-derived OPCs and investigates how the lesions relate to neuropathological and clinical disease parameters.
The position is funded by Stichting MS Research.
A junior Postdoc with a PhD degree in molecular cell biology or a related field. We are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated and talented postdoctoral researcher with affinity for neuroscience and a strong scientific drive. Expertise with bioinformatic analysis and cell culture, including human iPSCs is an advantage. Furthermore, you will need a flexible working attitude, team player mentality, good oral and written communication skills in English, and a result-driven and pro-active attitude.
