Master Project 3 (100 %):

Background:
Spina bifida is characterized by incomplete closure of the lumbosacral neural tube (failure of neurulation) during the first weeks of pregnancy. Consequently, the spinal cord remains open leading to a devastating congenital malformation causing irreversible and life-long disabilities in affected children.
Therefore, the main goal of this basic research project is to tissue-engineer autologous fetal cartilage composite grafts to close the open spinal cord. For the development of such a quite complex composite graft we are using human pluripotent stem cells isolated from amniotic fluid samples. Following the appropriate differentiation into cartilage-forming cells, these cells will be incorporated into appropriate 3D scaffolds in order to develop and cartilage grafts. The ultimate aim of our research is to develop a “personalized” physiological cartilage constructs that could potentially revolutionize the prenatal surgical care for the closure of spina bifida defects in the future. We hypothesize that the transplantation of out issue-engineered cartilage grafts would significantly increase the stability of the vertebral column and better protect the spinal cord.

Objective:
To develop a human 3D cartilage graft in vitro that mimics the microenvironmental and cellular complexity of human articular cartilage.

Methods:
The project aims to develop 3D in vitro cartilage constructs using human primary fetal stem cells from amniotic fluid. First, those cells will be chondrogenically differentiated within a 3D scaffold in vitro using specific media. Furthermore, the generated cartilage constructs will be characterized using state-of-the-art biochemical and molecular techniques.

Hypothesis:
The proposed tissue-engineered method will allow generation of cartilage grafts closely mimicking the physiological tissue arrangement.

Your responsibilities:

1.    Establishing a 3D culture conditions for fetal stem cells derived from amniotic fluid (AFSC).
2.    Chondrogenic differentiation of AFS  in 3D scaffolds in vitro.
3.    Characterization of cell viability and chondrogenic differentiation states in vitro.
4.    Immunofluorescence staining of 3D cartilage grafts for confocal microscopy.
5.    Performing histochemical in vitro assays for ECM deposition like Alcian blue and Safranin-O staining.
6.    Analysis of specific markers on gene transcript and protein level of chondrogenic differentiation in vitro.
7.    Applying statistical analysis, interpreting results and presenting data.
8.    Supervised planning and writing of final report.

Your profile:
Interested and motivated student. Background in life sciences.

What we offer:
We offer a varied and interesting work in an inspiring and socially relevant environment. Place of work University of Zurich, Schlieren Campus, Wagistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland Start of employment

Earliest start:
As of now, duration of Master thesis: 6-9 months.

For further information and applications, please contact

Dr. Katarzyna Micka
katarzyna.micka@kispi.uzh.ch