We are looking for enthusiastic PhD candidates for our MSCA project on gene therapy, coined "GET-IN" (www.get-in.org).I provide below an updated project description, but you will have to apply through the official website.
The DC1 project focusses on the bioprocessing of viral vectors. The position is hosted by the KU Leuven and Antleron NV. Specific objectives are: (1) to understand and improve the efficiency of viral vector production per cell by assessing innate immunity factors during plasmid transfection and viral vector production in 2D tissue culture plates, and (2) to advance the production environment by improving bioreactor cell yield and transfection efficiency through the design of innovative hardware set-ups and computational process modelling (2D to 4D translation). The objectives will be addressed for two main gene therapy vector platforms. The project involves wet lab experimental work, ranging from viral vector production, cell transfection and transduction, molecular biology, as well as in silico bio-process modelling and bio-informatics.A successful project will result in: (1) next generation HEK293 producer lines for viral vectors based on adapted innate immune pathways ; (2) improved and closed manufacturing system for cost-effective and scalable viral vector production.
Enrolment in Doctoral School: KU Leuven
Planned secondments: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (Month 14-15): Modelling of the manufacturing processes
Eberhard Karls Universitaet Tuebingen, Germany (Months 26-27): Introduction to Organ on Chip models and testing of viral vectors in these systems
Miltenyi Biotech GmBH, Germany (Month 38): Introduction to working in GMP environments
Could this listing possibly make use of research assistants? I am a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree Quantitative Biology and Data Science and 3 years of research experience. I am looking to develop myself as a biologist before applying to grad school. My email is aidanpholland@gmail.com.