Tendon injuries account for more than 50% of all sport-related injuries, which represents a significant clinical burden in increasingly aging societies. The compromised healing in the degenerated “tendinopathic” tendon and its tendency to heal with dysfunctional scarring further heighten this burden. Recently, there has been a growing appreciation that tenocytes activation to myfibroblasts “fibrosis cells” in tendinopathy depends on the context of their microenvironment, including both biochemical and biophysical cues. Thus, a thorough understanding of tendon cell-matrix interactions is needed in order to develop successful therapeutic modalities for tendon repair.
Healthy tendons are largely composed of collagen I (90%), and less amount of other collagenous and non-collagenous proteins. In tendinopathic tendons, however, this composition is altered with an increase in the ratios of collagen I/III and the appearance of products of incomplete matrix remodeling (figure 1). Through this project, we seek to elucidate how ECM biochemical changes may alter tendon cells behavior and/or phenotype. We aim to create a 3D in vitro model using collagen gels and primary rat tenocytes. The project builds on the previous success of the Snedeker’s lab on defining the optimum physicochemical cues for establishing tenogenic lineage (ref. 2).
The selected student will be trained in 3D cell culturing, standard materials characterization methods, and assessment of biological response using a combination of histological, microscopy and molecular biology techniques.
Details of the project and emphasis on different aspects can be set according to the expertise and interest of the candidate.
More details in the PDF document (below).
Tendon injuries account for more than 50% of all sport-related injuries, which represents a significant clinical burden in increasingly aging societies. The compromised healing in the degenerated “tendinopathic” tendon and its tendency to heal with dysfunctional scarring further heighten this burden. Recently, there has been a growing appreciation that tenocytes activation to myfibroblasts “fibrosis cells” in tendinopathy depends on the context of their microenvironment, including both biochemical and biophysical cues. Thus, a thorough understanding of tendon cell-matrix interactions is needed in order to develop successful therapeutic modalities for tendon repair.
Healthy tendons are largely composed of collagen I (90%), and less amount of other collagenous and non-collagenous proteins. In tendinopathic tendons, however, this composition is altered with an increase in the ratios of collagen I/III and the appearance of products of incomplete matrix remodeling (figure 1). Through this project, we seek to elucidate how ECM biochemical changes may alter tendon cells behavior and/or phenotype. We aim to create a 3D in vitro model using collagen gels and primary rat tenocytes. The project builds on the previous success of the Snedeker’s lab on defining the optimum physicochemical cues for establishing tenogenic lineage (ref. 2).
The selected student will be trained in 3D cell culturing, standard materials characterization methods, and assessment of biological response using a combination of histological, microscopy and molecular biology techniques.
Details of the project and emphasis on different aspects can be set according to the expertise and interest of the candidate.
More details in the PDF document (below).
In general, the basic tasks are:
1. Literature review, particularly focusing on tendon extracellular matrix (15%).
2. Protocol development and execution of experiments (40%).
3. Analyzing the data and producing figures (20%).
4. Writing the final report (Thesis) (25%).
We are looking for a Masters student /intern with an experience in cells culture and laboratory aseptic techniques. The project demands a minimum of 20 hours of bench work per week, and would better suit highly motivated students with a biology, biochemistry or bioengineering background. Students with other but related background will also be considered.
Applicants from ETH Zurich (D-HEST and D-BIOL) and the University of Zurich are encouraged to apply. External students (Erasmus, IDEA League, ETH Partner universities, ..etc) are also invited to apply, provided that they can secure their own funding for living expenses. Please refer to the funding links in the PDF document (below).
In general, the basic tasks are: 1. Literature review, particularly focusing on tendon extracellular matrix (15%). 2. Protocol development and execution of experiments (40%). 3. Analyzing the data and producing figures (20%). 4. Writing the final report (Thesis) (25%).
We are looking for a Masters student /intern with an experience in cells culture and laboratory aseptic techniques. The project demands a minimum of 20 hours of bench work per week, and would better suit highly motivated students with a biology, biochemistry or bioengineering background. Students with other but related background will also be considered.
Applicants from ETH Zurich (D-HEST and D-BIOL) and the University of Zurich are encouraged to apply. External students (Erasmus, IDEA League, ETH Partner universities, ..etc) are also invited to apply, provided that they can secure their own funding for living expenses. Please refer to the funding links in the PDF document (below).
Contact: Amro Hussien, amro.hussien@hest.ethz.ch / Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich / Professorship Jess Snedeker
http://www.orthobiomech.ethz.ch/
Our laboratory is based in Balgrist Campus. Lengghalde 5, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
http://www.balgristcampus.ch/
Contact: Amro Hussien, amro.hussien@hest.ethz.ch / Institute for Biomechanics, ETH Zürich / Professorship Jess Snedeker http://www.orthobiomech.ethz.ch/
Our laboratory is based in Balgrist Campus. Lengghalde 5, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland http://www.balgristcampus.ch/
Each year the IDEA League offers the students of its partner universities over 180 monthly grants for a short-term research exchange. In general, these grants are awarded based on academic merit. For more information visit http://idealeague.org/student-grant/