Lab. TECHNICIAN position available

Prof. A. Biffi, MD
HSC Gene Therapy Laboratory
Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Division
Department of Women’s and Children’s Health
University of Padova (Padua, Italy)
@Pediatric Research Institute Fondazione Città della Speranza

A research technician position is immediately available in the team of Prof. Alessandra Biffi, MD in the HSC Gene Therapy Laboratory, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica – University of Padova (Padua, Italy).
We are looking for a highly motivated and qualified lab technician. Experience in molecular and cellular biology, including PCR, cell culture, viral vector production and general biomedical laboratory procedures is required. Experience with mouse models is a plus.
The successful candidate will work in a stimulating research environment, and will be part of an enthusiastic team of researchers strongly committed to translational medicine. The laboratory main objective is the development of innovative gene therapy strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Responsibilities for this position:
– production and tittering of third generation lentiviral vectors (biosafety level 2)
– cell culture and transduction
– routine molecular biology assays (PCR, ddPCR, ELISA).

Your qualifications:
– Bachelor, master, PhD or equivalent with lab wet experience;
– High accuracy, reliability, precision;
– Ability to manage multiple tasks;
– Collaborative;
– Basic/good oral and written English skills;
– Experience with FACS analysis and hematopoietic stem cells transplantation are considered a plus

We offer:
– A dynamic lab environment and a chance to make important contribution to biomedical research
– A competitive contract and salary, depending on qualifications and experience

Applications, including a brief motivation letter describing the reason of your interest in this position, a CV and the names and contact details of two referees should be sent by email to: anna.eccellente@unipd.it

Postdoctoral Fellow Positions in gene therapy for neurometabolic and neurodegenerative diseases

Prof. A. Biffi, MD
HSC Gene Therapy Laboratory
Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplant Division
Department of Women’s and Children’s Health
University of Padova (Padua, Italy)
@Pediatric Research Institute Fondazione Città della Speranza

Two Postdoctoral Fellow positions are available in the team of Prof. Biffi in the HSC Gene Therapy Laboratory, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica – University of Padova (Padua, Italy).

The successful candidates will have the opportunity to work in Italy and abroad to develop innovative strategies of gene therapy based on integrating vectors and gene editing for neurometabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, and investigate the therapeutic role of the microglia in this context, in the setting of 2 EU funded projects.

The team is part of a larger and enthusiastic group of scientists strongly committed to translational medicine for many genetic diseases.

The applicant should have a recent or expected Ph.D. degree in biological or biomedical sciences. Strong skills in molecular and cellular biology are required. Familiarity with hematopoietic stem cell manipulation and transduction, and murine models is desirable.
The applicant should be committed to developing an independent research career and should be an excellent team worker, fluent in spoken and written English.

We offer a dynamic research environment, a chance to improve skills and knowledge and make important contribution to the biomedical research. A competitive salary will be offered, depending on qualifications and experience.

Applications, including a brief motivation letter describing the reason of your interest in this position, a CV and the names and contact details of two referees should be sent by email to: anna.eccellente@unipd.it

One-year postdoctoral fellowship position in the Clinical Genetics and Epidemiology group directed by Prof. Leonardo Salviati at Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica (IRP) Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy.

A full time Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available at Clinical Genetics and Epidemiology group to identify and characterize human genes involved in the biogenesis of the mitochondrial respiratory chain.

The post is available immediately for 1 year possibly renewable to 2 years.

In the past few years, the Clinical Genetics and Epidemiology group identified mutations in patients with respiratory chain defects and developed simple tools to characterize these mutants. Our goal is to understand the pathophysiology of mitochondrial disorders to design novel therapeutic approaches.

IRP (https://www.irpcds.org) is a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative environment that offer state-of-the-art labs and facilities.

To apply send a cover letter and CV to Prof. Leonardo Salviati (leonardo.salviati@unipd.it).

Selected publications:

Vanillic Acid Restores Coenzyme Q Biosynthesis and ATP Production in Human Cells Lacking COQ6. Acosta Lopez MJ, Trevisson E, Canton M, Vazquez-Fonseca L, Morbidoni V, Baschiera E, Frasson C, Pelosi L, Rascalou B, Desbats MA, AlcázarFabra M, Ríos JJ, Sánchez-García A, Basso G, Navas P, Pierrel F, Brea-Calvo G, Salviati L. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019 Jul 10;2019:3904905.

DRP1-mediated mitochondrial shape controls calcium homeostasis and muscle mass. Favaro G, Romanello V, Varanita T, Andrea Desbats M, Morbidoni V, Tezze C, Albiero M, Canato M, Gherardi G, De Stefani D, Mammucari C, Blaauw B, Boncompagni S, Protasi F, Reggiani C, Scorrano L, Salviati L, Sandri M. Nat Commun. 2019 Jun 12;10(1):2576.

Mutations in COQ8B (ADCK4) found in patients with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome alter COQ8B function. Vazquez Fonseca L, Doimo M, Calderan C, Desbats MA, Acosta MJ, Cerqua C, Cassina M, Ashraf S, Hildebrandt F, Sartori G, Navas P, Trevisson E, Salviati L. Hum Mutat. 2018 Mar;39(3):406-414.

Age-Associated Loss of OPA1 in Muscle Impacts Muscle Mass, Metabolic Homeostasis, Systemic Inflammation, and Epithelial Senescence. Tezze C, Romanello V, Desbats MA, Fadini GP, Albiero M, Favaro G, Ciciliot S, Soriano ME, Morbidoni V, Cerqua C, Loefler S, Kern H, Franceschi C, Salvioli S, Conte M, Blaauw B, Zampieri S, Salviati L, Scorrano L, Sandri M. Cell Metab. 2017 Jun 6;25(6):1374-1389.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in inherited renal disease and acute kidney injury.Emma F, Montini G, Parikh SM, Salviati L. Nat Rev Nephrol. 2016 May;12(5):267-80.