PhD position: Neural mechanisms of arthrosis

Project

Pain is an adaptive sensory experience that prevents tissue injury, but its chronification constitutes a major public health and socioeconomic burden. Osteoarthritis (OA), affecting over 500 million people worldwide, is one of the most prevalent chronic pain conditions, with articular pain as its most disabling symptom, although its mechanisms remain unclear. Since articular pain originates in the joint, peripheral sensory neurons innervating this tissue represent a relevant and accessible target for mechanistic investigation. In this PhD project we propose investigating the molecular determinants of the excitability of joint-innervating neurons, with an emphasis on the roles, regulation and modulation of TRP channels. The project will entail the use of varied techniques, such as, life cell imaging, cellular electrophysiology, induction of OA phenotypes, chemical and genetic neuron labeling, scoring of mouse pain phenotypes, etc.

Profile