PhD position in physiology - the role of chronic
inflammation and fibrosis in development of cancer

Uppsala university, Department of Medical Cell
Biology : Uppsala, Sweden

We are offering a PhD position or a postdoctoral fellowship that are open for dedicated scientists to explore cellular and molecular regulation of fibrosis, with focus on liver fibrosis and the development of liver cancer. The positions are in the laboratory of Pär Gerwins and Femke Heindryckx at the Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver tumor that originates in a background of chronic liver diseases. Every year almost 500.000 new patients are diagnosed with HCC, making it one of the most common cancers worldwide. The tumor is usually diagnosed at a late stage, limiting the therapeutic options and causing high mortality with an average survival of 4 months after diagnosis. HCC usually develops in a background of chronic liver disease. The progression from fibrosis to cirrhosis and HCC is distinguished by a prolonged inflammatory process, which creates a fibrotic environment that is favorable for tumor growth. This fibrotic environment is characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix by activated hepatic stellate cells, which are the liver´s resident fibroblasts.

Our research projects aim to identify the role of the fibrotic tumor environment in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma, using several in vitro and in vivo models that mimic liver fibrosis and HCC, focusing on different hallmarks of the tumor environment: fibroblast differentiation, extracellular matrix proteins and angiogenesis. In addition, hepatic stellate cells will be isolated and subjected to high-throughput screening with chemical libraries to identify factors that could prevent or reverse fibroblast differentiation with the aim of preventing or slowing down tumor progression in HCC.

The proposed projects include studies in mice as well as biochemical and molecular analysis of cultured primary cells.

We are seeking candidates who are self-motivated and career-oriented to join an exciting research team. Informal enquiries can be made by email (par.gerwins@mcb.uu.se).

A tentative starting date is August 1st but this is flexible.

Pay: Fixed pay

Starting: August 2016 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Full time , Temporary position longer than 6 months

Working hours: 100%

For further information about the position please contact: 
Professor Pär Gerwins, par.gerwins@mcb.uu.se 

You are welcome to submit your application no later than June 15, 2016, UFV-PA 2016/1072

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