Eurizon.eu

Organization: University of Twente

Location: Twente, Netherlands

Field: Circulating Tumor Cells

Requirements:

The positions are open to students with a master’s degree in physical, (bio)chemical and/or life sciences. A strong interest in multidisciplinary research is a prerequisite

Abstract:

The number of therapies available to treat patients with recurrent cancer increases. Oncologists are faced with the challenge to determine which therapy offers the most benefit with the fewest side effects.

Description:

The number of therapies available to treat patients with recurrent cancer increases. Oncologists are faced with the challenge to determine which therapy offers the most benefit with the fewest side effects. Assessment of therapeutic targets on tumor cells circulating in the blood (CTC) of cancer patients offers a means to constitute a “real-time” biopsy. To measure many targets and excretion products of a few CTC a new technology is needed, which is the challenge of the research. A novel method is proposed in which a microfluidic device a so-called CELL-SPREAD is used to guide isolated CTC or CTC-supernatants in nanoliter volumes to each of the positions on a 2D microarray that are loaded with ligands directed against cell surface targets, intracellular targets or specific excretion products of CTC. Crucial for this approach besides the ability to measure the typical biomolecular interactions for CTC (PhD student at MCBP), is the way to individually manipulate the droplet containing the CTC (PhD student at PCF) or its content to the different binding positions. To achieve the latter, use will be made of the socalled electrowetting effect, applied to individual on-chip micro-electrodes. Especially challenging may be the release of the cell in case it binds, to move it to the next position. The process of specific biomolecule binding and unbinding is monitored in real time and with high sensitivity in the droplets using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) imaging. Although a commercial SPR instrument is available the typical combined cell analysis and drop manipulation technologies are unexplored.
 
Conditions of employment
We offer two very challenging positions in an inspiring multidisciplinary environment, where the MCBP-AIO will have a “bio” accent and the PCF-AIO should have a more (physical) engineering background in order to cover the broad range of expertises needed to successfully perform the research. As a PhD candidate you will be appointed in a full-time position (38 hours/week) for a period of maximum four years and at the end you should have completed your PhD thesis. The gross monthly salary for a PhD increases from € 2042 in the first year to €2612 in the final year (in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities). In addition, the University of Twente offers attractive employment conditions.
Contract type
Temporary
4 years
To apply for this position, visit AcademicTransfer for the original posting, and many other scientific vacancies

Deadline: 01-04-2011

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