Post-doctoral assistant (16444) - Department of Diagnostic Sciences
Ghent University
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ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 8,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, and technical and social services on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With each of its 11 faculties and more than 100 departments offering state-of-the-art study programs that are grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its employees as well as its students.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
YOUR TASKS
Extra information on the project
Interaction between coagulation and inflammatory pathways: analytical and clinical implications
In the coagulation cascade, phospholipids (PL) are of paramount importance. A rare disorder, the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an auto-immune disease defined by the presence of antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies and associated with vascular thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity. One of the laboratory criteria is lupus anticoagulant (LAC), with high association with APS related clinical symptoms and detected by phospholipid (PL)-dependent coagulation tests. Coagulation tests are functional tests in which PL are used in the assay reagents. In APS, aPL bind to PL by cofactors, β2-glycoprotein I and prothrombin being the most important ones.
Little attention has been paid to plasma factors affecting phospholipid metabolism.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a class I acute phase protein with an affinity for PL, especially phosphatidylcholine (PC). PC is the principal CRP ligand, but CRP interferes also with other PL, for instance with phosphatidylethanol-amine (PE). Earlier studies have already demonstrated effects of CRP on Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) testing and clotting times. The in vitro interaction of CRP with PL is complex, shows inter-individual variation and depends on the origin of the human CRP that is used. Moreover, besides the analytical interference by CRP with LAC measurement, the importance of transient LAC often associated with infection is unclear.
Reagent composition is an import factor for coagulation testing, e.g. the sensitivity of the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) for coagulation factor deficiencies and LAC detection varies according to the concentration and the mixture of phospholipids (PL) used.
Also, the complement system is interconnected with the coagulation system. Several interconnections between the individual components of the complement and the coagulation cascade have been described. Dysregulation in the coexistence and interplay of hemostatic and inflammatory mediators can result in clinical manifestations of disease, such as sepsis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and thrombotic and/or inflammatory complications. Since certain complement factors are highly polymorphic, clinical effects of coagulation factors might show inter-individual differences.
In the present research project, the interaction between acute phase proteins, the complement system and coagulation will be investigated. Basic experiments will elucidate the mechanisms of action of acute phase proteins on coagulation process.
Furthermore, clinical studies will be designed to investigate the effects of acute phase response and complement status on patient monitoring. Particular attention will be paid to the development of countermeasures and algorithms to neutralize the analytical errors caused by inflammatory conditions.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
INTERESTED?
Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not sent through the online system.
Your application must include the following documents:
Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.
As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Katrien Devreese (Ghent University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Head of department GE32 Diagnostic Sciences, Head of department Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry-hematology, Ghent University Hospital - katrien.devreese@ugent.be +32 09/332 6567).
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