The primary focus of this project is to develop an innovative gene therapy approach using extracellular vesicles (EVs) for treating R14del phospholamban (PLN) cardiomyopathy. Your research will focus on developing and optimizing novel endogenous loading strategies to incorporate CRISPR prime editor ribonucleoprotein complexes (RNPs) into EVs. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities for comprehensive EV characterization. The therapeutic potential of this approach will be evaluated through extensive testing in clinically relevant cardiac disease models. This project is part of a larger consortium effort combining expertise in EV biology, gene editing, and cardiac disease to develop next-generation therapeutic strategies for genetic heart diseases.

• Optimize endogenous loading strategy for encapsulating CRISPR prime editors in EVs.
• Improve cardiac delivery through specific EV membrane modifications.
• Conduct in vitro testing to assess delivery efficiency and functionality.
• Analyze stability and purity of EVs loaded with CRISPR prime editors.
• Assess PLN-R14del mutation correction and evaluate functional improvements in relevant cell and preclinical models.
• Validate efficacy and safety of EV-mediated CRISPR prime editing in vitro and in vivo.

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents before the 6th of January 2025.

We ask you kindly to submit the following documents:

• A curriculum vitae (cv);
• A brief summary outlining their research experience;
• Contact details for three professional references.

The maximum salary for this position (36 - 36 hours) is € 5.504,00 gross per month based on full-time employment.

In addition, we offer an annual benefit of 8.3%, holiday allowance, travel expenses and career opportunities. The terms of employment are in accordance with the Cao University Medical Centers (UMC).

The Experimental Cardiology Laboratory at UMC Utrecht is dedicated to developing innovative therapeutic strategies for cardiac diseases. Our research focuses on extracellular vesicle-based delivery systems using cutting-edge molecular biology, genetics, and advanced disease models. We are part of the University Medical Center Utrecht's Circulatory Health Program and play a crucial role in developing novel therapeutic approaches for inherited cardiac diseases. Our multidisciplinary environment combines expertise in cardiac biology, gene therapy, and nanotechnology to advance the field of precision medicine in cardiology.

Contact our colleague:
Zhiyong Lei
088 75 565 05
Z.Lei-3@umcutrecht.nl