Position : Postdoctoral position in heart imaging

Workplace : Institute of Anatomy and Institute of Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bern

Project Title : Structural study of the three-dimensional network of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in the working myocardium

Description : Fibroblasts form a three-dimensional cellular network around cardiomyocytes in the intact myocardium. They maintain the extracellular matrix necessary for the function of cardiomyocytes. Under certain pathological conditions, fibroblasts can differentiate to myofibroblasts, which possess an intermediate phenotype between fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. Myofibroblasts can establish electrical coupling with cardiomyocytes which may promote arrhythmogenesis. This phenomenon has been recently studied in vitro. However, it is unclear to which extent these findings can be extrapolated to the in vivo situation. In particular, the three-dimensional organization of the myofibroblast network and of the sites of interaction between myofibroblasts and cardiomyocytes are still ill-defined and need to be characterized in order to understand their function. The successful candidate will join the groups of of Benoît Zuber and Stephan Rohr. Using state of the art techniques in light and electron microscopy, the successful candidate will conduct a comparative study of the three dimensional architecture of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in well-controlled cell culture systems and in healthy and diseased working myocardia from different species.

Requirements : The successful candidate holds a PhD, is highly motivated to work on a challenging project and has good communication skills. Demonstrated experience in electron microscopy and/or in confocal microscopy is a prerequisite.

Start : Upon mutual agreement.

Duration : Initially for 2 – 3 years

Application : Applications, including a letter of motivation, a CV, a list of publications and 3 references should be sent by email.

Contact/Application Addresses : Dr. Benoît Zuber ( zuber@ana.unibe.ch ) or Prof. Stephan Rohr ( rohr@pyl.unibe.ch )

Links to the institutions : http://www.ana.unibe.ch/~exmo/index.html
http://pylwww.unibe.ch/~rohr/