The IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine investigates the molecular mechanisms through which particles, radiation and environmental chemicals harm human health. The main working areas are environmentally induced aging of the pulmonary system and the skin as well as disturbances of the nervous and immune system. Through development of novel model systems, the IUF contributes to the improvement of risk assessment and the identification of novel strategies for the prevention / therapy of environmentally induced health damage. The working group “Alternative method development for environmental toxicity testing” led by Dr. Katharina Koch is looking for
a student (f/m/d) for a Master Thesis with the title:
Characterization of in vitro new approach methodologies
for developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) safety assessment of chemicals
Project overview:
Human brain development involves intricate neurodevelopmental processes vulnerable to harmful chemicals. Current DNT regulatory guidelines rely on animal testing, which is both scientifically limited and ethically problematic. In this project, you will be part of a transformative shift in toxicology focusing on animal-free, human-relevant methods. Your role will be to characterize previously developed in vitro new approach methodologies for human risk assessment of chemicals. In order to increase regulatory confidence in these assays we aim to characterize their protein content and epigenomic characteristics.
First, you will cultivate the selected in vitro models to quantify their protein content using the BCA assay. Your results will be further used to create a model that allows us to predict the distribution of chemicals in the different in vitro compartments. Second, you will cultivate the selected in vitro models to analyze their epigenomic characteristics and see how they influence the key neurodevelopmental processes. The selected in vitro models used during this internship will cover the assays from the OECD-supported DNT in vitro battery. The epigenomic task will be focused on one in vitro model from the battery, namely the 3D neurospheres.
This master thesis work will be carried out in the framework of the European H2020 project ONTOX which aims to advance human risk assessment of chemicals without the use of animals.
Additional information about the project:
project website https://ontox-project.eu/
LinkedIn links https://www.linkedin.com/company/ontox/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliskakuchovska/
We are looking for a motivated, proactive student who is enthusiastic about pushing the boundaries of science. You should meet the following requirements:
You have a bachelor's degree in life/environmental sciences (biology, (bio)medical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, bioengineering sciences, (eco)toxicology, environmental health, or equivalent).
Experience in in vitro cell culture.
Strong communication skills, with proficiency in written and spoken English.
Make an impact and contribute to a project that aims to reshape chemical risk assessment.
Build your professional network by being part of an international consortium and engaging with peers at fun events organized by the ASPIS Academy. https://aspis-cluster.eu/aspis-academy/.
Help the world in the transition to animal-free methods.
Grow professionally by co-authoring scientific publication(s) describing your results and attending optional educational courses on in vitro, in silico, and regulatory topics within the ONTOX consortium.
Join a young, international team in a friendly and supportive setting.
Contribute to the global transition towards animal-free testing methods.
Start date: Flexible, as early as possible.