About this role
PhD candidate 'Targeted oligonucleotide delivery in inherited retinal diseases' - Schaal 10A - Bepaalde tijd - €3.217 - €4.077 - Sluit op 13-09-2026 - 4 jaar - Research - 36 uur PhD candidate 'Targeted oligonucleotide delivery in inherited retinal diseases' - Schaal 10A - 4 jaar - Bepaalde tijd - Research - €3.217 - €4.077 - 36 uur - Sluit op 13-09-2026 Jouw functie Inherited retinal diseases are an important causes of blindness. Currently, various types of genetic therapy are being developed that either correct the genetic defect, such as viral gene delivery or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, or that redirect splicing during mRNA maturation, leading to translation of functional proteins. Despite considerable progress that has demonstrated the feasibility of these approaches, more research is needed to make these therapies more effective, and more broadly available for patients. On the one hand, delivery of gene therapies into retinal cells is still ineffective, on the other hand, some genetic defects require simultaneous delivery of several pieces of genetic material. This project will address both of these challenges. For targeting new interventions to the retina, we want to generate cell-specific binding proteins through AI-based protein structure prediction. Designed proteins will be recombinantly expressed and tested for binding to retinal cells. Oligonucleotides will either be chemically linked or packaged into nanoparticles. The methodologies to be employed include tissue culture, retinal organoid models, confocal fluorescence microscopy, tissue-on-a-chip systems, AI-based protein modeling, protein expression and purification, nanoparticle formulation and chemical conjugation strategies. Your main tasks are: - Designing and modeling proteins using AI-based tools. - Performing recombinant protein expression and purification. - Working with cell culture systems and retinal organoid...