Overview
Supervisor
Meritxell Alberich Jordà
Project description
Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) constitute a rare yet indispensable population within the bone marrow that sustains lifelong blood cell production. Preservation of their integrity and functional capacity is essential for normal hematopoiesis, as perturbations in this compartment can result in bone marrow failure syndromes and leukemic transformation.
Recent work from our group has revealed that acute infections are sensed not only by mature immune cells but also directly by HSPCs, positioning these cells as active participants in early immune responses. Building on these findings, this project aims to elucidate how HSPCs contribute to infection control while simultaneously undergoing transcriptional and metabolic adaptations that safeguard their long-term functionality.
To address these questions, we will combine in vitro culture systems with in vivo murine models of infection, complemented by transcriptomic and metabolic profiling approaches. This integrative strategy will allow us to dissect the molecular mechanisms that enable HSPCs to balance immune responsiveness with self-preservation. Ultimately, this work will provide fundamental insights into HSPC biology under inflammatory stress and may reveal mechanisms relevant to infection-driven hematopoietic dysfunction and leukemogenesis.
Candidate profile
The laboratory of hemato-oncology is searching for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and hard-working Ph.D. student. The candidate should hold a master degree in genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, or in a related field. Bioinformatic skills or basic knowledge of large dataset analysis will be positively evaluated. The candidate should be willing to work with murine models. Excellent English is required. The candidate should be a team-player and willing to work with other lab members and international collaborators.
We offer a friendly and supporting environment in a state-of-the-art institution.
Suggested reading
Danek P, Kardosova M, Janeckova L, Karkoulia E, Vanickova K, Fabisik M, Lozano Asencio C, Benoukraf T, Tirado-Magallanes R, Zhou Q, Burocziova M, Rahmatova S, Pytlik R, Brdicka T, Tenen DG, Korinek V, Alberich Jorda M: β-catenin-TCF/LEF signaling promotes steady-state and emergency granulopoiesis via G-CSF receptor upregulation. Blood 2020.
Vanickova K, Milosevic M, Ribeiro Bas I, Burocziova M, Yokota A, Danek P, Grusanovic S, Chiliński M, Plewczynski D, Rohlena J, Hirai H, Rohlenova K, Alberich-Jorda M: Hematopoietic stem cells undergo a lymphoid to myeloid switch in early stages of emergency granulopoiesis. EMBO J 2023 e113527.
Kosanovic S, Vanickova K, Milosevic M, Ribeiro Bas I, Chilinski M, Plewczynski D, Danek P, Rohlena J, Rohlenova K, Alberich-Jorda M: Distinct transcriptional changes in hematopoietic progenitor subsets on LPS-induced emergency granulopoiesis. Exp Hematol 2025 147: 104792.
APPLY HERE: https://www.img.cas.cz/phd
