Albena Jordanova
Professor at University of Antwerp
BelgiumResearch Interests
Explore related searches
Contact this professor
Get a free first email built on one of their papers, ready for you to edit and send yourself.
Positions (1)
Albena Jordanova
University of Antwerp
The University of Antwerp invites applications for a PhD position in the Center for Molecular Neurology, focusing on spatial omics and neurodegeneration. This interdisciplinary project, jointly supervised by Prof. Albena Jordanova (VIB-UAntwerp, Belgium) and Assist. Prof. Csilla Varnai (University of Birmingham, UK), aims to map therapeutic targets in Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy using patient nerve biopsies, iPSC-derived motor neurons, and Drosophila models. The research is funded by the Generet Award for Rare Diseases 2025 (King Baudouin Foundation). Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a hereditary neuropathy leading to peripheral nerve degeneration, muscle weakness, sensory loss, and lifelong disability. The project investigates the mechanisms by which YARS1 mutations drive nerve degeneration, hypothesizing compartment-specific toxicity shared across aaRS-linked CMT. High-resolution spatial transcriptomics and proteomics analyses will be performed on unique patient samples, with bioinformatics guiding the selection of key genes for therapeutic evaluation in experimental models. The successful candidate will join a vibrant, international research environment, embedded within both experimental and computational teams. The project offers coaching in iPSC culture, Drosophila genetics, spatial omics, multi-omics integration, and bioinformatics. Extensive training opportunities and access to centralized facilities in genomics, cell biology, proteomics, microscopy, structural biology, technology development, and bioinformatics are available at VIB-UAntwerp and University of Birmingham. Opportunities for career development, networking, and international mobility are provided. Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and a Master’s degree or equivalent experience in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, biomedicine, or medicine. Essential skills include basic programming, statistical analysis, analytical capability, motivation, adaptability, team spirit, and excellent English communication. Desirable skills include experience with next generation sequencing, proteomics, wet lab techniques, programming (R, Python), and interest in neurodegeneration. The position offers a 2-year competitive doctoral scholarship with full benefits, renewable for two additional years following positive evaluation. Benefits include ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, bicycle allowance or full reimbursement of public transport costs. Applicants are expected to seek independent funding with full support for personal fellowships. The start date is as soon as possible. To apply, submit your application via the University of Antwerp’s online platform, including a cover letter, CV, and contact information for two referees. The selection committee reviews applications promptly and will inform you of next steps. The University of Antwerp is committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
Articles (10)
Year:
2024
Year:
2023
Investigating the impact of disease-causing mutations, their affected pathways, and/or potential therapeutic strategies using disease modeling often requires the generation of different in vivo and in cellulo models. To date, several approaches have been established to induce transgene expression in a controlled manner in different model systems. Several rounds of subcloning are, however, required, depending on the model organism used, thus bringing labor-intensive experiments into the technical approach and analysis comparison. The GeneSwitch™ technology is an adapted version of the classical UAS-GAL4 inducible system, allowing the spatial and temporal modulation of transgene expression. It consists of three components: a plasmid encoding for the chimeric regulatory pSwitch protein, Mifepristone as an inducer, and an inducible plasmid. While the pSwitch-containing first plasmid can be used both in vivo and in cellulo, the inducible second plasmid can only be used in cellulo. This requires a specific subcloning strategy of the inducible plasmid tailored to the model organism used. To avoid this step and unify gene expression in the transgenic models generated, we replaced the backbone vector with standard pUAS-attB plasmid for both plasmids containing either the chimeric GeneSwitch™ cDNA sequence or the transgene cDNA sequence. We optimized this adapted system to regulate transgene expression in several mammalian cell lines. Moreover, we took advantage of this new system to generate unified cellular and fruit fly models for YARS1-induced Charco–Marie–Tooth neuropathy (CMT). These new models displayed the expected CMT-like phenotypes. In the N2a neuroblastoma cells expressing YARS1 transgenes, we observed the typical “teardrop” distribution of the synthetase that was perturbed when expressing the YARS1CMT mutation. In flies, the ubiquitous expression of YARS1CMT induced dose-dependent developmental lethality and pan-neuronal expression caused locomotor deficit, while expression of the wild-type allele was harmless. Our proof-of-concept disease modeling studies support the efficacy of the adapted transgenesis system as a powerful tool allowing the design of studies with optimal data comparability.
Year:
2023
Year:
2022
Year:
2022
Year:
2022
Year:
2021
Year:
2021
Year:
2021
Year:
2021
Collaborators (3)
Donald Wlodkowic
Associate Professor
RMIT University
Leonardo Almeida-Souza
University of Helsinki
Jozef Gecz
-
ApplyKite TwinLearns as you applyMake your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts before you send them.