The Genomic Medicine Group (GMX) at the Centre for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS – University of Santiago de Compostela) is offering a PhD position within the framework of a PFIS predoctoral fellowship (ISCIII) linked to the project:
“CRETA-ND: Characterisation of advanced therapeutic responses using complex neurodevelopmental models”
(Project approved by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III – 2025 Call, PI25/01219)
This position is aimed at students interested in Neuroscience, Biomedicine, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or related disciplines who wish to begin their research career in a high-level scientific environment.
Eligibility criteria
Degree in a biomedical-related discipline. Master’s degree that grants access to:
The PhD Programme in Molecular Medicine, or the PhD Programme in Neurosciences at the USC.
The project
The overarching aim of the project is to advance the understanding of rare and severe neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) through the validation of advanced in vitro models derived from hiPSC‑based cells obtained from both controls and patients. Using these 2D models and brain organoids, which recapitulate key molecular disease mechanisms, we propose the implementation of the “clinical trial in a dish” concept to screen therapeutic strategies and to extrapolate findings to larger patient cohorts in order to evaluate the potential clinical impact of the approach. We collaborate actively with patient associations as well as national and international clinical and research groups.
These advanced therapeutic strategies for assessing the recovery of molecular phenotypes include:
- Drug/small‑molecule repurposing.
- Gene editing, with editors delivered via LNPs and/or AAVs.
- Use of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to modulate gene expression
Therapeutic efficacy will be evaluated through electrophysiological, molecular, morphometric and imaging studies. The project is conducted under standardised protocols and rigorous experimental controls, ensuring the reproducibility and robustness of the results and contributing to the development of new personalised therapies, laying the groundwork for future clinical trials.
Our work is carried out at the Centre for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), in an environment of scientific excellence. We collaborate with national and international groups, fostering a highly creative, collaborative and knowledge‑sharing research environment.
The project is expected to lead to publications in high‑impact journals, participation in fortnightly scientific meetings, attendance at national and international conferences and specialised training workshops, as well as opportunities for research stays in prestigious international laboratories.
We are part of the CIBER for Rare Diseases (CIBERER–ISCIII) and the IMPACT Genomics – CIBER ISCIII project, in which the PI leads the work package on functional validation.
Interested individuals may contact Dr Catarina Allegue Toscano (catarina.allegue@usc.es) from the Genomic Medicine Group (GMX) for further information or to submit their expressions of interest or CV.