Modelling vascular disease using patient-derived iPSCs

Summary

Using patient-derived iPSCs we model genetic vascular diseases in which smooth muscle cells (SMC) are implicated such as aortic aneurysms - Marfan syndrome (FBN1), Loeys-Dietz syndrome (TGFBRI/II) – and the small vessel cerebrovascular disease, CADASIL (NOTCH3).

Project aims

Students will focus on one disease model to characterise the abnormal phenotype and assess severity. They will then determine whether single nucleotide correction using CRISPR can reverse the phenotype.

Analysis of recent RNA-seq data will further identify possible pathological mechanisms which will be tested in the iPSC-derived in vitro models. 3D models of the aortic wall will be generated and these systems will be used for drug testing.

Contact details

Professor Sanjay Sinha - ss661@cam.ac.uk

Opportunities

This project is open to applicants who want to do a:

• PhD