PhD candidate | Drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier in brain disorder

MEMORY: Integrating human blood-brain barrier and brain organoids to model drug delivery

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a specialized vascular interface found in the capillaries of the brain. It protects the brain from harmful substances in the blood and helps maintain brain homeostasis. BBB dysfunction is an early feature of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. New therapies that target and repair cells of the brain and BBB could help prevent cognitive decline.

However, current preclinical models have limited predictive value. This creates a need for innovative models that better reproduce the human brain and its interactions with the BBB. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can differentiate into multiple cell types in vitro and generate brain organoids: three-dimensional, multicellular structures that can reproduce aspects of human brain complexity.

In this PhD project, you will investigate drug delivery across the BBB using a model that integrates a human BBB with cortical brain organoids derived from hiPSCs. You will compare the therapeutic potential of natural and synthetic nanocarriers and investigate how they interact with the BBB and brain tissue.

The model reproduces key aspects of neurovascular interactions and has potential applications in disease modelling, therapeutic target discovery, drug screening and the early evaluation of efficacy and side effects.

This project is part of a unique public-private partnership. The expertise of Prof. dr. Elga de Vries' lab at Amsterdam UMC in BBB biology, hiPSC-derived models, drug delivery and organoids is combined with the expertise and technology of Locsense, a Dutch company specialising in in vitro sensing technology.

Your research will contribute to reducing animal testing, strengthening translational research and advancing personalised medicine for neurological conditions.

Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this on this page.

You will develop and apply advanced human in vitro models to study drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier. You will:

• compare the therapeutic potential of natural and synthetic nanocarriers;
• work with hiPSC-derived cortical brain organoids and human blood-brain barrier models;
• investigate neurovascular interactions and the delivery of therapeutic compounds to the brain;
• contribute to applications in disease modelling, therapeutic target discovery and drug screening;
• collaborate with researchers from Amsterdam UMC and Locsense within this interdisciplinary public-private partnership.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with an interest in drug delivery, human in vitro models and neurological diseases. You have:

• a Master’s degree in neuroscience, biomedical sciences or a related field;
• an interest in in vitro modelling, nanoparticle technologies, blood-brain barrier biology and neurodegenerative diseases;
• experience with hiPSC culture and differentiation and/or in vitro blood-brain barrier models and brain organoids;
• experience with organ-on-chip, MEA or nanoparticle technologies is an advantage;
• excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, a proactive and flexible attitude, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.