This project is set up to quantify the pathophysiological role of mitochondrial function in early stages of disease pathways that may lead to heart failure (HF) enabling early detection of risk for age-associated disorders such as HF. Understanding the role of mitochondrial function in the transition from left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and LV remodeling to HF necessitates a multidisciplinary approach crossing the borders between clinical and laboratory medicine and the use of novel technologies. We address the objectives of the project by adding a prospective dimension to the unique epidemiological resources on LV structure and function already available at the Studies Coordinating Centre (SCC) in Leuven: the Flemish Study on Environment, Genes and Health Outcomes (FLEMENGHO). This project also relies on cutting-edge technologies for measurement of mtDNA content, telomeres and oxidative gene expression available within the molecular epidemiological research domain of the Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University.

During the course of this project the PhD student will work on the progression of LV dysfunction and remodelling in association with biomolecular markers of ageing (mitochondrial DNA content).

Englisch, fließend in Wort und Schrift sind unbedingte Voraussetzung.

Bei gleicher Qualifikation werden Frauen bevorzugt.

methods:
PCR, Western blot, cell culture, DNA isolation from blood / cells, immunohistochemistry, cloning, DNA / RNA modification, sequencing, GWA, statistics, preferably knowledge of SAS / SPSS, databases

Start Date: 4 April 2013

Estimated duration: 4 years

Payment: yes

Remarks: The PhD student will personally contribute to the ongoing epidemiological research. He/she will be trained in the newest techniques of cardiovascular imaging and in post-processing of the echocardiographic images. Over the project period, the PhD student will be involved in analysing off-line echocardiographic recordings at the central echocardiographic platform under supervision of the promoter. The PhD student will also take actively part in the maintenance of the DNA/RNA biobank, the construction of the database, and the statistical exploitation of the data. By the end of the first year of the training, the student should be able to run the complex statistical software under supervision of the promoter. In the third and fourth year of the study program, the student will write 5 manuscripts to be submitted to high-ranking journals addressing the association of LV phenotypes with genetic markers (mtDNA content).

Therefore, the basic knowledge of epidemiological and statistical methods, cardiovascular pathophysiology as well as imaging modalities are required from the applicant in addition to the general admission requirements for a PhD program.

Subjects: Biology, Medicine
Topic: Thesis: Mitochondrial DNA content in aging and cardiovascular disease: a population study
Contact: Dr. rer. nat. Boris Schmitz
Reply to: Boris.Schmitz @ ukmuenster.de
Institution: University of Leuven and the Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Belgium
Location: 48149 Muenster, Horstmarer Landweg 39

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