MAASTRO clinic
MAASTRO Lab is a basic and translational research laboratory embedded within the GROW research
institute of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at Maastricht University. Research
carried out in the past has been focused on the tumour microenvironment and EGFR signaling,
pathways of relevance to radiation oncology. MAASTRO Lab has made several important
discoveries in these fields, including demonstration that EGFR is up regulated by radiation and that
hypoxia inhibits the initiation step of mRNA translation. In addition, we have initiated translational
and clinical studies based on these results including both phase I novel treatment and molecular
imaging trials as well as a Biobank project with more than 1500 patients included.
The lab has four permanent scientists, 5 technicians, more than 5 PhD students and is fully
equipped for cell culture, molecular and cellular biology (e.g. flow cytometry, hypoxia, gene
expression, proteomics and microscopy) and working with animals (optical imager, small animal
irradiator, MRI 7 Tesla and micro-PET). MAASTRO lab has set up the necessary infrastructure for
controlled exposures to hypoxia and hypoxia/reoxygenation, including development of novel
equipment that allows rapid and controlled changes in oxygenation. Access to expertise, equipment
and resources within the much larger GROW research institute and other facilities in the University
are also readily available, including the genome centre, advanced microscopy, and the animal
facility. MAASTRO has a structural collaboration with the VU in Amsterdam on molecular PET
biomarkers, with the TU/Eindhoven on Systems Biology and a close collaboration with the
University of Toronto on research related to the Unfolded Protein Response and tumour hypoxia.
The extracellular pH of solid tumours is significantly more acidic then that of normal tissues.
Hypoxia plays an important role in tumour acidity since it allows selection of cells able to
survive a hypoxic environment with the production of acid. Hypoxia unregulated genes (CA
IX, MCT-4, NHE-1,…) are responsible for extrusion of these acids towards the extracellular
microenvironment. Acidity has been shown to have a role in resistance to chemotherapy
(impaired uptake weakly basic cytostatics), proliferation and metastatic behavior.
Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that tumour alkalinisation may represent a key target
for successful future antitumor treatments.
MAASTRO lab has a vacancy for a:
PhD student in preclinical research focused on research related to tumour
acidosis (M/F)
In this position you will carry basic and/or translational research focused on research
related to tumour acidosis. You will pursue the research program on tumour microenvironment
together with Prof. Lambin, the leader of the project group. The basic hypothesis of this
project is that tumour acidosis could be a therapeutically interesting target and manipulating
it by either genetic modification or drugs can improve therapeutic efficacy. You will participate
in research within MAASTRO, the research institute GROW and the faculty of Health, Medicine
and Life Sciences. There are also possibilities to be involved in phase 1 -2 clinical trials on the
same topic. Your work will involve development of genetic models to modify the extracellular
acidosis. Furthermore, pharmaceutical compounds inhibiting pumps and exchangers involved
in the acid-base homeostasis will be investigated for their effect on antitumor treatment.
Acidosis will be evaluated using in vitro (FACS) or in vivo non-invasive (optical, MRS,…)
imaging using several animal and tumour models.
We are looking for a candidate with a master’s degree in molecular/cell biology or
Biomedical Technology. Experience and affinity for preclinical research and in vivo work is highly
valued. Authorization to work with animals in the Netherlands (art 9 certificate, The
Netherlands) and authorization to work with radioactivity (“Stralingshygiëne Niv 5b”, The Netherlands) is a plus but is not a prerequisite. We are looking for a positively minded
scientist motivated to learn new approaches and ready to work hard to build a scientific
career.
Further information will be gladly given by ludwig.dubois@maastro.unimaas.nl or Philippe
Lambin, professor of Radiation Oncology (e-mail: philippe.lambin@maastro.nl ) or telephone
number: +31-(0)88-4455666. Please also visit www.maastro.nl and www.grow-um.nl.
Your application letter, Curriculum Vitae and listing of publications can be sent before
the 15 of November 2009 to the attention of ludwig.dubois@maastro.unimaas.nl.
