Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
Engineering the Diabetic Tendon Microenvironment
This project aims to engineer a synthetic hydrogel-based cell niche that mimics key aspects of the diabetic tendon extracellular matrix. Patient-derived tendon fibroblasts will be used to construct a more physiologically relevant three-dimensional (3D) model.
Diabetic patients with poor glycemic control suffer from widespread connective tissue complications that reduces tolerance to exercise and physical activities. It is estimated that up to 50% of patients drop out of exercise routines for managing type 2 diabetes due to musculoskeletal symptoms (e.g. Achilles tendon pain). This may lead to deleterious long-term health consequences given that exercise and active lifestyle are cornerstone in controlling blood glucose levels.
According to accepted hypothesis, diabetic tendinopathy is triggered by an accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The high glucose milieu in diabetes facilitate the formation of AGEs by the induction of intermediary crosslinks between glucose and proteins amino groups (e.g., a collagen lysine side-chain). AGEs mediate its pathologic effects through interaction with AGEs receptors (RAGEs) at the cell surface which ultimately results in deterioration of the biological (e.g. AGEs-mediated myofibroblasts activation) and mechanical function of tendons.
The development of effective treatments has been hindered by the lack of predictive in vitro models to investigate the mechanisms underlying diabetic tendinopathy. To address this need, this project aims to establish a synthetic hydrogel-based cell niche that is enriched in AGEs and disease-specific cell binding motifs. Patient-derived tendon fibroblasts will be used to construct a more physiologically relevant three-dimensional (3D) model thus mimicking key cell–matrix-related mechanisms responsible the disease pathogenesis and may advance translation of in vitro insights into effective clinical interventions.
The selected student will be trained in 3D cell culturing, peptide conjugation, molecular biology and confocal microscopy techniques.
Details of the project and emphasis on different aspects can be set according to the expertise and interest of the candidate.
Diabetic patients with poor glycemic control suffer from widespread connective tissue complications that reduces tolerance to exercise and physical activities. It is estimated that up to 50% of patients drop out of exercise routines for managing type 2 diabetes due to musculoskeletal symptoms (e.g. Achilles tendon pain). This may lead to deleterious long-term health consequences given that exercise and active lifestyle are cornerstone in controlling blood glucose levels.
According to accepted hypothesis, diabetic tendinopathy is triggered by an accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The high glucose milieu in diabetes facilitate the formation of AGEs by the induction of intermediary crosslinks between glucose and proteins amino groups (e.g., a collagen lysine side-chain). AGEs mediate its pathologic effects through interaction with AGEs receptors (RAGEs) at the cell surface which ultimately results in deterioration of the biological (e.g. AGEs-mediated myofibroblasts activation) and mechanical function of tendons.
The development of effective treatments has been hindered by the lack of predictive in vitro models to investigate the mechanisms underlying diabetic tendinopathy. To address this need, this project aims to establish a synthetic hydrogel-based cell niche that is enriched in AGEs and disease-specific cell binding motifs. Patient-derived tendon fibroblasts will be used to construct a more physiologically relevant three-dimensional (3D) model thus mimicking key cell–matrix-related mechanisms responsible the disease pathogenesis and may advance translation of in vitro insights into effective clinical interventions.
The selected student will be trained in 3D cell culturing, peptide conjugation, molecular biology and confocal microscopy techniques.
Details of the project and emphasis on different aspects can be set according to the expertise and interest of the candidate.
- Literature review, particularly focusing on AGEs-mediated fibrosis/inflammation (15%).
- Protocol development and execution of experiments (50%).
- Analyzing the data and producing figures (10%).
- Writing the final report (Thesis) (25%).
**Desirable skills:**
We are looking for a motivated student/intern with appetite to learn cells culture and laboratory aseptic techniques. The project demands a minimum of 20 hours of bench work per week; and expected to lead to a publication.
Applicants from ETH Zurich (D-HEST, D-BIOL and D-MAT) 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 (See PDF).
- Literature review, particularly focusing on AGEs-mediated fibrosis/inflammation (15%). - Protocol development and execution of experiments (50%). - Analyzing the data and producing figures (10%). - Writing the final report (Thesis) (25%).
**Desirable skills:** We are looking for a motivated student/intern with appetite to learn cells culture and laboratory aseptic techniques. The project demands a minimum of 20 hours of bench work per week; and expected to lead to a publication.
Applicants from ETH Zurich (D-HEST, D-BIOL and D-MAT) 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 (See PDF).
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/
Semester Project
Internship
Lab Practice
Bachelor Thesis
Master Thesis
Student Assistant / HiWi
ETH Zurich (ETHZ)
Topics
Engineering and Technology
Biology
Documents
Name
Comment
Size
Actions
07_ Engineering the Diabetic Tendon Microenvrionment_ ETH Snedeker Group.pdf