Early Stage Researcher/Marie Curie ITN-TranCYST

This ESR-position is part of the ITN: Translational research training in Polycystic Kidney Disease (TranCyst). Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a frequent inherited kidney disorder characterized by massive renal cyst formation leading to renal failure in the 5th decade. TranCyst is composed of 5 leading European laboratories in PKD research and 2 private sector (SME) partners, joining forces with the aim to improve survival and quality of life of PKD patients. The research objectives of TranCYST are: 1) Validation of model systems (cells, mice, zebrafish) and obtaining new insights into disease mechanisms, i.e. (epi)genetic alterations and signalling pathways. 2) High-throughput drug screening and testing in model systems. 3) Identification and validation of biomarkers in plasma and urine of patients and rodent models using metabolomic/proteomic profiling approaches. 4) Registry/biobanking of patient cohorts and getting insights from ongoing ADPKD clinical trials.

Description

We recently identified a possible new predictor of renal functional loss in ADPKD based on imaging and renal structure evaluation of a faintly contrast-enhanced parenchyma at computed tomography (CT), referred to as intermediate volume. This could be a novel therapeutic target. In addition to implementing the automation of the CT scan analysis of the different tissue components of the PKD kidneys, we will further characterize the intermediate volume and validate it as surrogate marker of ADPKD progression in cohorts from our outpatient clinics and from ongoing clinical studies at our center. Comparison with the traditional predictors (total kidney volume, total cyst volume) will be performed. The imaging proposal is complemented by the ongoing clinical studies assessing the safety and efficacy of novel treatments (somatostatin analogue, mTOR inhibitors) on renal function decline (GFR measurement) and changes of the kidney and liver volume components in ADPKD patients with moderate/severe renal insufficiency.


ESR that will participate to the training program within a ADPKD trial will have the unique opportunity to be involved at different stages of several clinical trial therefore they will acquire capabilities ranging from design of clinical study, evaluation of study dimension, generation of case report forms, preparation of all the administrative work required under the current laws (including the submission of material to ethical committee and internal review boards), methodology for recruiting study participants, monitoring of the study, analytical and statistical evaluation of study results, and finally writing of a manuscript for publication.
Through the collaboration with the SME Orobix, the student will have the opportunity to learn about innovative imaging applications of MRI like image acquisition and processing at CT and MRI level, kidney and liver volume quantifications.

The training activities will include:

- Follow-up of patients in clinical studies;
- Imaging application (CT and MRI) training;
- Analytical and statistical evaluation of clinical studies;
- Insights into measurements of renal function; in-house course and hands-on;

Nr of positions available : 1

Research Fields

Medical sciences - Medicine

Career Stage

Early stage researcher or 0-4 yrs (Post graduate)

Research Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Comment/web site for additional job details

As soon as the TranCYST website has been launched you can also refer to: http://www.trancyst.eu

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Requirements

Additional Requirements

The candidate should have expertise in biomedical image analysis and should be familiar with clinical studies conductance, data collection and analysis

Applicants must comply with the Mobility rule and therefore should not have resided or performed their main activity (work, studies) in the country of the Host Institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the start date of this position.