Job description

Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) plays a pivotal role in blood coagulation, with its secretion from Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) being essential for responding to vascular trauma. Dysfunctional WPB biogenesis and exocytosis are characteristic of bleeding disorders such as Von Willebrand disease. In this project, we aim to identify the organelle trafficking routes responsible for WPB formation and secretion.

This project is a collaboration between the research groups of Dr. Ruben Bierings (Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam) and Dr. Geert van den Bogaart (Department of Molecular Immunology, University of Groningen (UG)).

Two PhD positions are available, one at each institute.

The UG candidate will utilize newly developed microscopy methods, including Förster resonance energy transfer-fluorescence lifetime imaging (FRET-FLIM), to map SNARE protein trafficking to WPBs. Techniques include FRET-FLIM microscopy, mam...