Individual
ESR projects
Research project
Exploiting 3D organotypic niche models to dissect the cellular crosstalk between niche and haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in human myelodysplastic syndromes (WP3)
Rationale and objectives
The project will combine experimental and computational approaches to dissect the cellular crosstalk between niche and haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with the goal to identify niche dependencies that can be exploited for disease interception.
The project will make extensive use of innovative 3D Human Organotypic Marrow Environments (3DHOMEs) to functionally evaluate niche dependencies and perform screens to identify druggable modules that promote the fitness and progressive clonal dominance of malignant MDS cells. Results will be confirmed using patient-derived xenograft models and primary patient samples.
Envisioned secondments
GenomeScan B.V. (The Netherlands, 3 months) and University of Bergen (Norway, 2 months).
PhD programme
PhD in Experimental Medicine, Frankfurt Goethe University, Germany.