Postdoctoral Positions, German Rheumatism Research Centre Berlin, Germany (2017)

In a unique and innovative approach, fully funded by Willy Robert Pitzer Foundation, the Löhning team establishes a link between experimental immunology and osteoarthritis (OA) research: Based on our knowledge about developmental programs and their plasticity in T lymphocytes, we hypothesize that chondrocytes possess similar molecular mechanisms of cell differentiation and plasticity. Pathological subset differentiation of chondrocytes likely is a decisive element in the induction and progression of OA. Here, metabolic reprogramming of these cells may allow biological cartilage regeneration. By using our expertise in single-cell analyses, we aim to identify candidate pathways regulating degenerative and regenerative molecular processes. Our first goal is to isolate cells from different layers of osteoarthritic and healthy human cartilage to analyze the global gene expression, transcriptional and epigenetic gene regulation, and metabolic activity of these populations. OA-associated candidate genes will be tested for their therapeutic intervention potential in human tissue culture and animal models.

Further details:
http://www.nature.com