This work is a part of the Marie-Curie Research and Training Network “CARBIO“ – Multifunctional carbon nanotubes for biomedical applications.
The CARBIO partners apply a multidisciplinary approach in order to exploit the potential of multi-functional carbon nanotubes (CNT) for biomedical applications. CNT with tailored functionalities (different filling, heat sensitive caps) will be synthesized and modified to become compatible to biological systems. Their chemical and physical properties will be studied in order to find mechanisms, which can be applied for a biomedical purpose in appropriate medical devices. Studies of their interaction with biological environments (immune response, toxicity, interaction with the single cell) will provide the basis for applying the CNT for imaging (nanoparticles-based contrast agents), sensoring (nanoparticles-based diagnostics) and cancer treatment (hyperthermia, nanotechnology-based targeted drug delivery).
The aim of the PhD work (RT 12 of CARBIO) is the application of different types of MWNT with defined filling and labelling properties to prostate and bladder cancer cell lines, non-tumorous tissues and organs as well as to animals. The following routes will be followed to goals are defined:
-Methods of targeted, carrier-mediated delivery of (two or more walled) CNT into tumour cells and tissues will be optimised.
-Determination of the therapeutic efficacy of local in-situ heating by ferromagnetic CNT meas¬ured by contact-free temperature control (cf. RT 4).
-The results and further preclinical studies of optimised treatment schedules will be transferred to an appropriate animal model.
-Uptake rates and distribution patterns in cell cultures and tissue explantats will be studied.
-Subsequent aims: Targeting studies of antibody-conjugated CNT (intense coop. with RT 2).
-analyses of tumour growth properties and ef¬fects on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis (cyto fluorometry), real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and oligonucleotide array studies
-Investigations of stability and toxicity of the CNT subclasses (close collaboration and exchange with RT 2 and RT 6,7), xenotransplantation of human urologic tumours for animal studies (nude mice and rat)
The fellowships are well paid, including a basic living and a mobility allowance (with deductions by national laws) and travel and career exploratory allowances according to the Marie Curie rules. Each fellow will get an employment contract with one partner and will perform secondments at other partners. A generous career development package is included.
CARBIO offers 12 three-years fellowships for Early-Stage-Researchers (PhD positions) and 4 fellowships for Experienced Researchers (ER). (cf. http://www.carbio.eu)
The applicants must meet the requirements of the Marie-Curie fellowships. E.g., the fellows must be nationals of a state other than the country where they will perform their studies and they may not have carried out their main activities in that country for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the start of the
fellowship. Applicants should be Europeans (except Germans).
Organisation - University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden
Division/Faculty/Department - Department of Urology
Street - Fetscherstraße 74
City - Dresden
Postal Code - 01307
Country - GERMANY
E-Mail - Axel.Meye@uniklinikum-dresden.de
Website - www.carbio.eu
Job Starting Date 01/02/2007
Application Deadline 31/01/2007
Applicants should have a good background in chemistry, medicine and/or biochemistry. Good English skills are mandatory.
Applicants should send 2 recommendation letters as soon as possible together with their CV and a motivation letter detailing how they would contribute to this project.
