4D bioprinting of vascularized, myogenic tissue with hybrid nanocomposites

The successful candidate will conduct PhD research under the supervision of Prof. Heidi Declercq, Prof. Wim Thielemans and Prof. Carmen Bartic. You will play an active role in the research team, take part in workshops, conferences and other activities. You will be based at KU Leuven Campus Kulak, Department of Development and Regeneration of KU Leuven.
You will benefit from an established infrastructure for research and join the Tissue Engineering Lab. You will have access to specialized training courses and the opportunity to present your research at national and international conferences.
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Project
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The aim of your project is to biofabricate a 3D vascularized myogenic tissue by using novel 4D biomaterials based on hybrid nanocomposites. Your main focus will be to biofabricate a 3D structure mimicking myogenic tissue by using different bioprinting methods (extrusion, dropplet, core-shell, electrowriting, microfluidic,…) and by increasing the complexity of the biomaterials. Myogenic, endothelial and supporting cell types will be integrated during the bioprinting process to generate a vascularized myogenic tissue.
You will work in a team that will develop stimulus responsive, artificial tissues based on nanoparticle-stabilized multiphase materials and optical nanoparticles, together with optical methods allowing in situ mechanostimulation of cells and simultaneous readout of cellular responses (i.e., electrical responses, contractility,…). We will explore the ability of these materials to support and guide cell growth by matrix generated mechanical stimuli and to monitor changes in cell activity in 3D cultures of myogenic cells.

Profile
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– You must hold a MSc/Masters’ degree in biomedicial engineering, biomaterials engineering, biomaterial science, biomedical sciences, or equivalent related fields
– You must have demonstrated following skills: bioprinting, biomaterials characterization, cell culture, basic in vitro experiments, analytical analysis, data analysis,…
– You must have solid knowledge of tissue engineering, biomaterials, biology,…
– you should be a team player with good oral and written communication skills
– You should be eager to deliver presentations (oral or poster) at (inter)national symposiums or conferences
– You should be enthousiastic to carry out visitations to other laboratories for learning new techniques
– You should be willing to co-supervise thesis projects of bachelor and master students
– You will be involved in education in the Faculty of Medicine

Offer
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– A 1-year contract, that after positive evaluation is prolonged for a total of 4 years
– Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment (bioprinter, light-sheet microscopy, rheometry, SEM,…) and active collaborations with (inter)national laboratories
– A stimulating, international research environment in an academic laboratory

Interested?
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For more information please contact Prof. dr. Heidi Declercq, tel.: +32 56 24 64 25, mail: [email protected].
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