Project 4

Investigation of the role of NET interaction with GAS6 in NETosis resolution and modulation of immune cells

Host institute: Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona, Spain (IIBB)
Supervisors: Dr Pablo García de Frutos (IIBB), Dr Montserrat Marí (IIBB)
Co-supervisor Dr. Bruno Villoutreix (UP)

Objectives
1. To investigate NET-bound GAS6 and to identify binding mechanisms to activating neutrophils and NETs.
2. To study the role of GAS6 in the uptake of these complexes through efferocytosis by phagocytic cells of environments relevant to sepsis.
3. To study the molecular response to GAS6 engagement in TAM-expressing cells.
4. To test molecules that interact with the GAS6-NET interaction.

Expected Results
1. Identification of the suitable molecules to enhance NET removal.
2. Decipher the crucial interactions between GAS6-TAM receptors and determine structural requirements of GAS6 to activate TAM receptors.

Secondments
- UP (3 months)
- WWU (3 months)
- PharmaTarget (1 month)

Requirements
Qualifications: Eligible candidates must have a master’s degree relevant to the chosen position (including biology, medicine, biochemistry), or must hold an official university qualification from a country of the European Higher Education Area with a minimum of 300 ECTs of official university studies. Good English level is required.
Experience: The applicant should have experience in different basic methodology within the research field of biomedicine and cell biology.
Knowledge & skills: Good knowledge in standard in vitro analytical methods is meritorious (qPCR, Western, ELISA, etc), basics in statistics. Cell culture experience. A Felasa C certificate or equivalent will be highly appreciated.
Abilities: The applicant should be able to critically analyse data, keep-up to date in the relevant scientific literature, be fluent in English in both writing and speech, and have good communication abilities. The ability to independently plan experimental studies is meritorious.
Attitude and disposition: The Praetorian MSCA doctoral network requires abundant traveling and social settings. The applicant should be willing to present research orally and in writing, socialize and network at meetings within the consortium but also at major international conferences and at the home institution. The applicant is expected to voluntary contribute to the science community including engaging in scientific communities and PhD-communities at the Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB, CSIC).