Disease resolution and immunometabolism in severe malaria

The laboratory of Immunoparasitology (group of Prof. Philippe Van den Steen, cluster Immunity and Inflammation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven) has an open PhD position for a highly motivated researcher to investigate disease resolution and immunometabolism in severe malaria.
Malaria remains a major health problem, with more than 200 million clinical cases and over 600 000 deaths each year. Therefore, the Immunoparasitology research group focusses on the pathogenesis and resolution of malaria complications. These complications are the main cause of death in malaria patients and arise from complex interactions between the parasite and the host immune and vascular systems. We investigate the pathogenesis and aim to develop improved therapies. Thereby, we combine advanced mouse models, including transgenic parasites and conditional knockout mice, with clinical studies in Sub-Saharan Africa and state-of-the-art technologies.

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Project

Despite the availability of highly efficient and rapidly acting antimalarial drugs, the mortality of complicated malaria remains high (~20%). Therefore, we think that failure of disease resolution upon antimalarial treatment may be the cause of mortality in these patients. Since the mechanisms of disease resolution in malaria are not well understood, we intend to study these mechanisms with a recently developed mouse model and with a clinical study in Africa. Our recent lung single cell transcriptomics study (PLoS Pathog. 2024, 20(1):e1011929) revealed interesting targets, and we plan further mechanistic characterization of critical pathways, including the role of immunometabolic pathways and the proteolytic inactivation of inflammatory chemokines.

Profile

-    An excellent curriculum with a Master’s degree in biomedical sciences or in biology, biotechnology, bio-engineering, medicine or pharmacy.
-    Highly motivated to study the immunology and metabolism of malaria, a major tropical infectious disease.
-    Eligibility and suitable profile for application for a fellowship (e.g. FWO) is an important asset.
-    Felasa B certificate to work with laboratory animals.
-    Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
-    Team player, communicative, good practical lab skills, strong analytical mindset, independent and problem-solving attitude.
-    Some expertise in bioinformatics is a plus.

Offer

-    A PhD position in a highly dynamic research group within the excellent environment of the renowned Rega Institute at the KU Leuven.
-    Excellent daily guidance and training.
-    Opportunities to participate in international collaborations and national and international conferences.
-    An interdisciplinary environment with access to state-of-the-art technologies and infrastructure.
Laboratory of Immunoparasitology

Interested?

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