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Specific Immunotherapy Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Models – (Ph.D.)
Charles University
Faculty of Science| Application Deadline: | March 1, 2012 | ||
| Location: | Prague / Czech Republic / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 48 months | Start Date: | October |
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| Languages: | English | ||
Location of Charles University
Running title:
Immunotherapy using mesenchymal stem cells
Research group:
Laboratory of immunoregulation
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a heterogeneous population of stromal cells with a pluripotent differentiation potential. Furthermore, these cells possess immunomodulatory properties and the ability to support endogenous tissue repair. In recent decade, the interest in clinical application of MSCs intensified.
Our experimental results have shown that MSCs growing on nanofiber scaffolds and transferred on skin graft modulate local and systemic immune reaction and attenuate the rejection response. MSCs also turned out as potent producers of cytokines, and their secretory activity can be modified by exogenous factors. Consequently, MSCs can direct the development of naive T cells into pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cell population, and thus modulate immune reactions.
We shall test a panel of factors to increase immunosuppressive properties and differentiation capacity of MSCs. Experimental models of skin and corneal transplantation in the mouse will be used to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of MSCs in vivo. For the local transfer of MSCs, various types and forms of nanofiber scaffolds, without or with incorporated pharmacologically active substances, will be used.
The proposed project thus represents a combination of stem cell research and modern nanotechnologies, with the final aim to propose new approaches for stem cell-based immunoregulation and immunotherapy.
Contents
Laboratory of Immunoregulation
Head: Assoc. Prof. Vladimír Holán, DSc.
The research of the laboratory is focused on the study of cellular and molecular mechanisms of specific immunity. Laboratory animals (skin and corneal transplantation, immunoregulation in vivo), tissue cultures (study of cooperation among cells of the immune system) and the techniques of molecular biology (regulation of gene expression, characterization of the functions of signalling molecules, etc.) are used as basic models.
The research is also focused on the study of stem cells and their use in regenerative medicine. The final aim of this research is a recognition of molecular and cellular mechanisms of specific immunity and the use of this knowledge for the targetted immunorgulation in expeimental work and in clinical practise.
What is STARS?
STARS is a program supporting talented PhD students at the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague. The aim of this program is to provide excellent education and an adequate income to PhD students of the Faculty. The STARS program wants to attract the best students from the Czech Republic as well as from abroad. Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, is a top-quality centre of research in natural sciences. The Faculty takes care about its future and that’s why the STARS program was born. Come to Prague and become the future of our Faculty!
March 1 - April 1, 2012
Interviews with candidates organized by research teams and faculty PhD coordinators.
How can I apply?
How are candidates selected?
The program is competitive. The supervisors of the individual PhD projects will shortlist eligible applicants, who will then be invited for an interview to be held during the month of March. The exact interview dates will be agreed between the supervisors and the candidates. Based on the interviews, the applicants to whom the scholarship will be offered will be selected in the beginning of April.
As STARS PhD students you have access to:
• Supervision
• Advanced methodological courses
• High-tech laboratories and core facilities
• Soft skills training
• Czech language courses for foreign students
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Requirements
The STARS program is open to all applicants who hold a master‘s degree or equivalent in sciences, medicine, pharmacology and a related field of study. It is also open to students who are in the last year of their studies and will be able to present their degree diploma at the beginning of their PhD study.
The candidate should be proficient in English; however, no formal English exam (such as TOEFL) is required.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Master's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Faculty
The Faculty of Science was established in 1920 as the fifth faculty of Charles University. It currently has 29 departments, 3 museums and a large Botanical Garden where the Study Department and some students’ facilities are located.
Nowadays the Faculty is academically and organizationally divided into four sections: biological, geographical, geological and chemical. In addition to these sections the Faculty has several specialists teaching and research centres, including interdisciplinary institutions such as the Institute for Environmental Studies. All parts of the Faculty are active in both teaching and research.
The main mission of the Faculty of Science is to create highly quantified experts in biology, chemistry, geography, geology and in other interdisciplinary fields. Its scientific and research effort aims to solve key problems concerned with the development of human society. Some of the priority long-term subjects are human health, the study of the function and prediction of the development of ecosystems and the biosphere, and the development of environmentally-friendly materials based on the utilization
of renewable resources.
The Faculty of Science offers three educational levels, bachelor, master and doctoral. All bachelor and master’s programs include both theoretical teaching and practical exercises in laboratories, and some courses combine the academic studies of natural science with teacher training in a chosen field. Bachelor courses are introductions to deeper studies that follow on in the master’s programs. Master’s study programs train experts for scientific and research institutes, government careers, industry and the private sector. Graduates of the master’s courses with the teacher training element are qualified to teach in secondary schools and secondary vocational schools. Doctoral study programs train highly specialized staff for science and research.
Ask a Question
You can contact Assoc. Prof. Vladimír Holan, DSc. to ask a question about Specific immunotherapy using mesenchymal stem cells in experimental models at Charles University.
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