In the multi and interdisciplinary scientific environment of the European School of Molecular Medicine (SEMM) network, that includes 8 Italian Research Centers and 7 Italian Universities, we offer an innovative PhD program in Systems Medicine. The PhD Program aims to train young and motivated researchers in the wide field of modern Biomedicine. The general idea is that complex systems, such as diseases and their pathogenesis, cannot be understood taking into account a single point of view. The expertise of different scientists, biologists, medical doctors, computer scientists, physicists and mathematicians is needed to provide new insights.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS ADMISSION TO DOCTORAL PROGRAMMES – 40th cycle (AY 2024/25) at the University of Trieste

The PhD students will be part of an interdisciplinary project combining live imaging, genetics, and computational approaches using C. elegans

The laboratory of Prof. Santoro at Dept. of Biology, University of Padua and Venetian Institute Molecular Medicine (https://massimosantorolab.com) is seeking a PhD student to study endothelial signaling and metabolic pathways in Endo-MT-driven pathological angiogenesis.

Two SNSF-funded PhD student positions in the group “Mechanisms of Inherited Kidney Disorders” co-led by Prof. Olivier Devuyst and Dr. Alessandro Luciani is located at the Institute of Physiology, at the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Project: Unlocking mechanisms and therapeutic paradigms for rare inherited diseases Inherited defects in lysosome-residing proteins can lead to proximal tubulopathy and kidney disease. Recessive mutations in CTNS, the gene encoding cystinosin/CTNS, cause cystinosis, a lysosomal storage disease characterized by early and severe dysfunction of kidney tubular epithelial cells, progressing towards chronic kidney disease (CKD) and life-threatening complications. Using cystinosis as a paradigm of lysosome dysfunction causing proximal tubulopathy and kidney disease, the project aims to dissect the biological roles of lysosomes in the context of homeostasis, kidney disease, and therapeutic discovery. The applicants will combine preclinical disease models (mouse, rat, and zebrafish), physiologically-relevant cell systems, cell-and lysosome-based function assays, and disease-relevant screening technologies (i) to decipher how the lysosome direct cell fate determination in the kidney tubule epithelium; and to (ii) dissect factors and mechanisms of lysosomal reformation and their roles in normal and diseased cells. By synergizing prior knowledge-based approaches and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered engine with a cross-species screening and validation workflow, the applicant will rank and prioritize actionable drug targets addressing dysregulated homeostasis in cystinosis. Our ultimate goal is to expedite the effective translation of therapeutic agents from preclinical systems to clinical benefits for individuals with cystinosis and other lysosome-related diseases.