Pharmacological analysis of photoactivatable CXCR4/ACKR3 ligands in vitro/in vivo

Early stage researcher 7 (ESR7) project
Supervision: Prof. Dr. Rob Leurs, Dr. Henry Vischer, Dr. Maikel Wijtmans
Host: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

I- Project proposal:

Aim:
The project aims for the development of photopharmacological approaches for the CXCR4 and ACKR3 chemokine receptors. New assays to dynamically modulate these chemokine receptor systems with light-switchable ligands will be developed. Main focus will be on in vitro, cell-based assays, but ultimately light-induced in vivo modulation of CXCR4 and/or ACKR3 function is the final aim within this project.

Methodology:
This project will entail the assay development of new photopharmacology assays to evaluate photoswitchable small-molecule CXCR4 and ACKR3 ligands (agonists/antagonists). The characterization of new photoswitchable ligands can be supported by computer-aided drug design and GPCR mutation studies where necessary. Design and synthesis of photoswitchable ligands will be conducted by fellow ESR1.

Planned secondments:

InterAx (Switserland) – candidate will get exposed to relevant dynamic cell-based assays.

INSERM (Paris, France) – candidate will work on biological characterization of photoswitchables compounds in relevant models of disease. 

 

II – Requirement candidate:

Required diploma: A MSc degree in Biochemistry or Pharmacology or related Biomedical degrees

Required expertise: The candidate has a strong background (theoretical and practical) in cell biology, signal transduction and preferably pharmacology and/or molecular biology.

Recommended expertise: Expertise in GPCR molecular and cellular pharmacology is a strong pre. Previous experience with biosensor-based assay development and/or photopharmacology is also highly valued 

Key publications:

  1. Hauwert et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 4232
  2. Hauwert et al., Angew. Chem. Intl. Ed. 2019, 58, 4531
  3. Gómez-Santacana et al., Angew. Chem. Intl. Ed. 2018, 57, 11608
  4. Gómez-Santacana et al., Beilstein Arch. 2019, doi:10.3762/bxiv.2019.69.v1 

For more information:
Prof. Dr. Rob Leurs – r.leurs@vu.nl

Dr. Henry Vischer – h.vischer@vu.nl

Dr. Maikel Wijtmans – m.wijtmans@vu.nl

 

Application:

Apply here

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ONCOgenic GPCR Network of Excellence and Training. An #EU Marie-Curie ITN of 16 Early Stage Researchers studying CXCR4 and ACKR3 #chemokine #GPCRs in cancer

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Avatar ONCORNET2.0 @oncornet1 ·
5 Nov 2021

Great way to finish the week off with some #FCS measurements of CXCR4-expressing HEK cells at @UoNLifeSci 🔬 #FluorescenceFriday

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Avatar ONCORNET2.0 @oncornet1 ·
20 Oct 2021

Hello everyone!
I am Noemi Karsai and I’m the next in our #ESR introduction series. I’m #ESR11 and I’m originally from Hungary, currently doing my PhD at @UoNLifeSci @COMPARE_UoBUoN, UK.

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Avatar ONCORNET2.0 @oncornet1 ·
8 Jul 2021

The transatlantic ECI GPCR symposium #ECIGPCR is about to start, we are ready!! Thanks to the organizers for their excellent job gathering almost 500 people across the globe! @cyclic_Andreas @NicoleAPerry1 @BenderSci @DesislavaNeshe1

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Avatar ONCORNET2.0 @oncornet1 ·
29 Jun 2021

Hello 🙂
I am here to continue the series in which all #ESRs are presenting themselves. I am Viviana Marolda and I am in my first year of PhD. I am #ESR13, originally from Italy, and currently, I am working as a PhD student in @CBMSO_CSIC_UAM, at Universidad Autonoma de Madrid.

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Avatar ONCORNET2.0 @oncornet1 ·
14 Jun 2021

Hey twitter!
I am @DehanComez. I am taking over the Oncornet account for a while to start a series of all #ESRs writing about themselves and their projects. I am #ESR5, originally from Turkey and right now I am working as a PhD student in @COMPARE_UoBUoN , @UniofNottingham , UK.

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Avatar David Gloriam @david_gloriam ·
28 May 2021

New review on #gpcr structural dynamics out in COSB. Great teamwork with the @JanaSelent group. Thanks to @Lundbeckfonden and @novonordiskfond https://lnkd.in/eyjrA5V

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Avatar ONCORNET2.0 @oncornet1 ·
28 May 2021

ONCORNET2.0 is the successor to #ONCORNET. You can see some of the work of ESRs from the first ONCORNET in this special issue of @MolPharmJournal from 2019, with reviews on #CXCR4 and #ACKR3 structure and function: https://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/96/6

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Avatar ONCORNET2.0 @oncornet1 ·
28 May 2021

Hi everyone – we’re on Twitter! ONCORNET2.0 is a #MarieCurie ITN of 16 ESRs across Europe studying #chemokine #GPCRs #CXCR4 and #ACKR3 in cancer. Our projects cover molecular dynamics, medchem, #pharmacology through to translational work. Follow us for updates from our ESRs!

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Contact details

Please contact us at:
info@oncornet.eu

ONCORNET Coordinator
VU University Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Funded by

Marie Curie Actions

EU Horizon 2020

European Union