Download Master Internship in Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology

Master Internship in Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology
VU University medical center
Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology
Prof. Dr. Helga de Vries – Blood-brain barrier research group
OI2 building, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, NL
Length of the internship: 5 months
Project background and aim of the internship:
Dysfunction of the neuroprotective blood-brain barrier (BBB) and inflammation are key events seen
in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It is known that molecular pathways that underlie BBB dysfunction differ
between the acute and the progressive phase of disease. In the inflammatory phases of disease,
Notch signaling, a conserved pathway in vascular development, becomes impaired resulting in loss of
endothelial immune quiescence. However, less is known about the role of Notch signaling during the
chronic phase of the disease. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is a physiological as
well as pathological processes in which endothelial cells respectively undergo morphological,
structural and functional changes and de-differentiate into mesenchymal cells. Several signaling
pathways including the Notch cascade can induce the transition of endothelial cells into
mesenchymal cells during EndoMT. Only in the last two years it has been shown that EndoMT occurs
also in brain endothelial cells and participate in the pathogenesis of brain tumors and other brain
disorders. However, the interplay between the Notch signaling pathway and EndoMT in the specific
context of BBB dysfunction during MS pathogenesis has not been investigated yet.
The goal of this project is therefore to define the role of the Notch signaling pathway during EndoMT
in human brain endothelial cells.
Candidate profile:
We are looking for highly motivated and enthusiastic master student willing to work mostly on
unraveling signaling pathway and investigate genes/proteins expression in human brain endothelial
cells using a variety of molecular cell biology techniques.
Requirements:
- Bachelor in Biological Science (WO)
- Previous research experience in the laboratory
Skills Required
 Cell culturing ( highly recommended )
 Overexpression and knock-down of cell lines ( highly recommended )
 RNA isolation and qPCR
Skills you will learn
 Western blot
 Immunostaining on human post-mortem material
 Microscopy and live cell imaging
 Functional assay ( ECIS and permeability of the BBB )
 Immune cell trafficking across the BBB
How to Apply:
If you are interested in this position please send an email to
[email protected]