13 PhD Scientist Positions are available immediately for participation in Marie Curie Initial Training Network on Small Artery Remodelling (SmArt).

The aim of the EU ITN network is to provide a structured PhD / young researcher training programme on small artery physiology and pathophysiology, including cell biological, molecular biological and physiological aspects. The network consists of 10 partners from 7 European countries - see www.smallartery.eu for partner details and projects offered by each partner – employment conditions will be in accordance with the country of employment.

PhD applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in life sciences (e.g. medical science, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology), physics, chemistry or related fields, with relevant preparative training. Participation in the training programme in small artery function and pathophysiology of the SmArt ITN network is mandatory and will involve summer schools, workshops and training in partner laboratories, including collaboration between partners. Excellent command of spoken and written English is essential. Application forms and detailed information regarding each position are available at www.smallartery.eu. Applications should be sent via email to the respective project leader by the time indicated for each position.

2 at the University of Lund, Sweden. PI: Per Hellstrand (Per.Hellstrand[ at ]med.lu.se)

1) Effects of pressure, flow and smooth muscle tone on smooth muscle differentiation and growth: role of calcium handling mechanisms
2) Pathways of mechanosensing and the role of cellular microdomains in vascular remodelling.

2 at the University of Muenster, Germany. PI: Lydia Sorokin (sorokin[ at ]uni-muenster.de)
1) Role of smooth muscle laminins for small artery remodelling using cell-specific knock-out of laminin isoforms.
2) Role of endothelial cell laminins for small artery remodelling using cell-specific knock-out.

2 at the University of Munich, Germany. PI: Ulrich Pohl (upohl[ at ]lmu.de)
1) Shear stress dependent modulation of matrix proteins and their role in control of short-term vascular plasticity.
2) Matrix-dependent control of endothelial cell function and communication.

1 at the University of Aarhus, Denmark. PI: Christian Aalkjaer (ca[ at ]fi.au.dk)
Decreasing expression of voltage-dependent and intracellular calcium release channels – effect on vascular tone and structure.

1 at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands. PI: Ed van Bavel (e.vanbavel[ at ]amc.uva.nl)
Cross-linking of the collagen matrix: role of transglutaminases in vascular remodelling.

1 at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. PI: Curzio Ruegg (Curzio.Ruegg[ at ]unil.ch)
Endothelial and progenitor/inflammatory cell response to shear stress and extracellular matrix modifications: role of integrins.

1 at the University of Pécs, Hungary. PI: Ákos Koller (akos.koller[ at ]aok.pte.hu)
Pressure and shear stress-induced microvascular remodelling mechanisms: role of ROS.

1 at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. PI: Markus Hecker (hecker[ at ]physiologie.uni-heidelberg.de)

Role of the cytoskeletal protein zyxin and the transcriptional repressor Zfm1 in mechanosensitive gene expression.

1 at King´s College London, Great Britain. Project leader: Qingbo Xu (qingbo.xu[ at ]kcl.ac.uk)
Role of monocytes / macrophages in the extracellular matrix for vascular remodelling.

1 at NeuroSearch A/S, Denmark. Project leader: Søren-Peter Olesen (spo[ at ]neurosearch.dk)

Pharmacological modulation of vascular Ca2+- and K+- channels and functional consequences of downregulation of the genes coding for these channels using siRNA technology in vivo and in vitro