The Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS) is a multidisciplinary biomedical research centre, with the aim to undertake high quality and competitive research at international level on the most prevalent diseases. IBIS is based on fundamental research at the molecular and cellular level with a view to promote the rapid transfer of knowledge to the clinical setting, at the same time improving the quality of clinical and epidemiological research.

The group “Oncologic Surgery. Cell Therapy and Organ Transplant” leading by Dr Javier Padillo Ruiz and Co PI Jordi Muntané Relat   is interested in hosting a Marie Curie Fellowship.

The research group is constituted by a disciplinary group of clinical and basic researchers from the Surgery, Gastroenterology and Radiology Departments of the Hospital University Virgen del Rocío, and the laboratory 209 of the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS). The group is integrated in the scientific program “Hepatic, digestive and inflammatory disease" in the IBiS. The postdoctoral researcher will co-coordinate with Dr. Jordi Muntané the project described below. Dr. Muntané will act as the tutor of the present postdoctoral researcher. The postdoctoral researcher will also be integrated in the Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics in the University of Seville. The group of biomedical researchers in the laboratory 209 is constituted by two predoctoral investigators, one technician and two students in scientific internship. The members have a long scientific track in the field of oxidative and nitrosative stress leading to liver injury and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

The postdoctoral researcher will be integrated in the basic staff of the laboratory 209 headed by the Chief of the Surgery Department Dr. Francisco J Padillo, and co-headed by Dr. Jordi Muntané acting as the tutor of the present postdoctoral researcher. The basis staff of the laboratory 209 is constituted by two predoctoral investigators, one technician, one foreign Erasmus graduate student and two students in scientific formation. The members have a long scientific track in the field of oxidative and nitrosative stress leading to liver injury and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

+Info: IBiS

Description of the project to implement MSCA-PF-2025 

Title: Extracellular vesicles to monitor metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease progression to hepatocellular carcinoma.

SoA: The scientific project involved the identification of critical factors involved in HCC caused by metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). HCC is the most common form of primary liver cancer being globally recognized as the fourth cause of cancer-related death that will lead more than a million annual deaths in 2030. The prevalence of MASLD is predicted to increase up to 56% in most the European countries, USA and China within the next 10 years which will dramatically impact HCC cases in the following years. The progression of the disease to proinflammatory state or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) leading to HCC has unique molecular and immune traits compared with other etiologies. The major actual concern is to establish reliable biomarkers that allow clinicians and patients to prevail the progression of the disease to HCC.

Scope and Goals: The project is focused on the identification, characterization and validation of reliable biomarkers in extracellular vesicles (EVs) useful to develop an algorithm addressed to all stakeholders in order to prevail the prognosis of malignancy in patients with liver advanced fibrosis. The molecular characterization includes cell-cell interactions and extracellular matrix pattern of the microenvironment, DNA mutations, epigenetic signature including DNA modifications and lncRNA/miRNA/circRNA signature, and metabolic profiles. Different in vitro and in vivo models will be developed for the identification of the functional relevance of EVs. The selected relevant biomarkers will be integrated in a signaling networking pattern to potential identified upstream markers, and integrated all together into artificial intelligence (AI) tools useful for patients, health system and facultative for the best rational, economic and clinical making decisions.

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE REQUIERED

EDUCATION

• Degree:  Bachelor and master's degree
• Degree field:   Bachelor's degree (≥ 300 ECTS) in Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedicine.
   

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

• Main research field: Liver.
• Skills: Cell culture, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics
• Specific requirements: Cell culture

• Years of research experience: 5-7 PhD research experience
   

  How to apply:  Send an e-mail with the subject EoI MSCA-PF-2025 to the attention Dr Jordi Muntané enclosing the followings documents:

  • A detailed curriculum, including a complete list of publications.
  • A cover letter describing your carrier goals and research interests, background, and qualifications.
  • Contact information (mail and phone number) of two to three referees including your PhD mentor.

        Application e-mail: jmuntane-ibis@us.es