Postdoc position - Developing novel ways to control viruses targeted infection of cellu

The highly competitive the Bio-Engineering Systems for Therapeutics (BEST) postdoc programme
, part of the Next-gen Bioengineers initiative, is operated jointly by the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering of the ETH Zurich and by the Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED). The programme focuses on development of new tools and methods to resolve existing problems and come up with solutions for future challenges in medical translation and therapeutics.

Viral vector-based gene therapies are extensively explored in preclinical and clinical development for the treatment of genetic diseases by infecting targeted cells. However, elaborating the target cell specificity of viral vectors, called as tropism, is an ongoing and crucial endeavor in the field of gene therapy. Viral infection is triggered when a virus binds to cell surface receptors with certain thermodynamic and kinetic on/off rates at equilibrium, which could act as a limiting factor to further enhance or optimize viral tropism.

In this collaborative project, we explore new ways to adjust this equilibrium so the on/off rates of viral vectors brought in proximity to target cells / tissues / organoids can be controlled to promote viral infection. To reach this goal, we will apply multiparametric approaches to quantify the interaction (on/off rates) of a specific set of viruses with desired regions of cellular systems such as cultured cells, organoids, tissues, and organs.

Then, it is thought to characterize the parameters that shift the thermodynamic and kinetic on/off rates and viral tropism. Ultimately, this quantitative approach will open new ways to engineer and control the on/off equilibrium of viral vectors rather than genetically engineering viral vectors by optimizing the transgene cassette or capsid. Finally, we anticipate that this study will open new possibilities to increase transduction efficiency and viral tropism for successful viral gene therapy.

Independent working on an interdisciplinary challenging project at highest scientific levels at two different locations, the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, and the Department of Ophthalmology at pRED, Roche. Both Departments are located in the City of Basel.

• PhD degree or equivalent in the fields of biology, biotechnology, biophysics, biomedicine, biomedical engineering, biochemistry, gene-based delivery methods, pharmacy, and other related disciplines
• Interest in getting trained in ophthalmology, neurobiology, biophysics, bionanotechnology, gene-based methods, virus engineering, cell and tissue biology
• Interest in interdisciplinary research at the campuses of Roche and ETH Zurich in Basel
• Experience with cell biology, nanotechnology, gene therapy, and biophysics is welcome
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, excellent organizational skills and high reliability
• Excellent track record in scientific working, communication, and publishing
• Outstanding ability to work independently in highly collaborative teams
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English are essential

• Exciting and highly innovative and collaborative research within the framework of Biosystems Engineering for Medical Translation
• Co-supervision by ETH Zurich and Roche principal investigators
• Full access to the facilities and expertise at the campuses of Roche and ETH Zurich
• Support programme benefits (networking, career development)
• Regular seminars and joint symposia at ETH Zurich and Roche
• Fully funded fellowship for initially 2 years

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