Roles of matricryptins (bioactive extracellular matrix fragments) in adipose tissue

Description

The laboratory of Julie Fradette is seeking a motivated student to pursue graduate studies (preferably PhD) at Université Laval in Quebec city. This project is a collaboration with Pr Sylvie Ricard-Blum de l'Université Lyon 1 in France, and part of the studies could also be performed there.

The topic is highly original and the project will use a unique model of human reconstructed adipose tissue produced using tissue engineering methods, from adipose derived stem/stromal cells. This position is available immediately.

Candidates with prior experience in cell culture and protein analyses are especially invited to postulate.

The projetc is supported by NSERC.

Description: Matricryptins are bioactive fragments generated by the proteolytic remodeling of the ECM. Importantly, these fragments exert intrinsic biological activities that can differ from those of their parent biomolecules. Matricryptins have been shown to regulate cell behavior, in particular for endothelial cells. We hypothesize that selected recombinant matricryptins can stimulate angiogenesis in adipose tissue while preserving the key metabolic functions of this tissue.

We will use a biomimetic model of adipose tissue engineered in vitro featuring a microvasculature of endothelial cell-derived capillary networks. Our method is based on the capacity of adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) to produce and assemble an abundant endogenous ECM while differentiating into adipocytes.

Our specific aims are to:
1a. Determine the impact of selected matricryptin supplementation on endothelial cells and the developing microvasculature in engineered adipose tissues.
1b. Assess if these matricryptins affect adipocyte functions and adipogenesis.
2. Determine the endogenous profiles of expression and release of matricryptins in adipose tissues.

Research Field

- Tissue engineering
- Stem cells
- 3D models
- Angiogenesis
- Adipogenesis
- Dipose tissue
- Extracellular Matrix
- Matricryptins
- Dipocytes
- Proteomic

Research Supervisor

Julie Fradette

Research Environment

Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l'Université Laval / LOEX

www.loex.qc.ca
Division of Regenerative Medicine, CHU de Québec Research Centre-Université Laval, Site Hopital enfant-Jésus,
1401, 18e Rue
Québec, Qc, G1J 1Z4

Web Site

Financial Aid Available by Program of Study

Doctorate in Cellular and Molecular Biology

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

$21000 per year for 3 years.

Project supported by NSERC

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
Program progress award (S-1 to S-8)	8 x $525
Program progress award (S-9 to S-11)	3 x $200
Successful completion of Ph.D exam	$800
Submission of dissertation deposit before the end of the 12th semester	$2,000
Language training	$250
Total	$7,850

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Funding source	Amount
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$30,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$30,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$20,000 to $70,000$
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship Program: Entitles international students to pay Canadian student tuition fees, for overall savings of around $40,000.

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Doctorate in Clinical and Biomedical Sciences

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

$21000 per year for 3 years.

Project supported by NSERC

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
Program progress award (S-1 to S-8)	8 x $525
Program progress award (S-9 to S-11)	3 x $200
Successful completion of Ph.D exam	$800
Submission of dissertation deposit before the end of the 12th semester	$2,000
Language training	$250
Total	$7,850

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Funding source	Amount
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$30,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$30,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$20,000 to $70,000$
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship Program: Entitles international students to pay Canadian student tuition fees, for overall savings of around $40,000.

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Master's Degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology with thesis

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

$18000 per year for 2 years.

Project supported by NSERC

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
First submission of thesis by the end of the 5th semester of full-time registration	$2,000
Language training	$250
Total	$2,250

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Sources de financement	Montant
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$10,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$20,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$17,500 to $40,000
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Master's Degree in Clinical and Biomedical Sciences with thesis

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

$18000 per year for 2 years.

Project supported by NSERC

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
First submission of thesis by the end of the 5th semester of full-time registration	$2,000
Language training	$250
Total	$2,250

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Sources de financement	Montant
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$10,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$20,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$17,500 to $40,000
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Desired Profile

- Medecine
- Pharmacy
- Biomedical Science
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Microbiology

Requirements and Conditions

- Knowledge of French and English is required.
- Prior experience of cell culture methods would be strongly advantageous.
- To apply, please send a short letter of presentation, a complete CV and copies of your grades to Pr Julie Fradette.
- The position is available immediately.

Required Documentation

- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitæ
- Student transcript

Find Out More

Julie Fradette
Professeure titulaire
Département de chirurgie
julie.fradette@fmed.ulaval.ca