Place: San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (HSR-TIGET), Via Olgettina, 58, 20132 Milano, Italy 

PI: Prof. Alessandro Aiuti 

Project Leader: Dr. Luca Biasco 

Contract: Fellowship or Project contract

Career Level: Starting Level

Education: Laurea Triennale/Specialistica o Vecchio Ordinamento in Informatica, Ingegneria Informatica/Automatica, Statistica, Matematica, Bioinformatica

Area: R&D

Starting date: June 2014

Our group at TIGET is working on the study of human blood cell population dynamics. To track the fate and activity of individual cells in humans we are exploiting viral integration sites (IS). Indeed, upon gene therapy based on the use of viral vectors, each genetically corrected cell infused in the patients is marked by a univocal IS and become therefore traceable [1].

 

By a unique combination of molecular analysis and state-of-the-art deep sequencing technology we are studying the genomic localization of the IS from the viral vector systems employed in the gene therapy clinical trials ongoing at TIGET [2,5].

 

We are exploiting IS analyses as a unique tool for biological data mining directly on human samples, applicable for systems biology studies (aimed at understanding vector biology and stem cell dynamics) as well as for the analysis of safety and efficacy of gene therapy clinical trials [2,5]. 

 

Over the past years we built bioinformatics pipelines to identify IS from deep sequencing reads (Roche 454 and Miseq Illumina) creating a database storing biological metadata such as cell type, harvest time point and tissue [4,5]. 

 

Our candidate will be directly involved in clinical/translational projects that will require:

a) Next generation sequencing (NGS) data processing and analysis. 

b) Development of new methods for IS analysis and for modeling of blood cells behaviour.

 

TIGET is one of the most economically and scientifically solid realities in the translation research and its scientific results are recognized worldwide. The environment is young and stimulating with great networking opportunities. In the context of our research activity the selected candidate will be able, if interested, to apply to PhD programs in Statistics, Bioinformatics or Computer Science.

 

The ideal candidate is seeking a long-term commitment. He/she is a young motivated and enthusiastic researcher, possibly committed to undertake a PhD program in Computer Science/Engineering, Statistics or Bioinformatics. 

Preferred experiences/skills: statistical bases, algorithm development; basic programming languages (i.e. Python/Perl, R/Matlab).

Previous experience on NGS data handling is considered a plus.

 

Please send your application including a synopsis of research interests and Curriculum vitae by email to: 

Luca Biasco (biasco.luca@hsr.it)

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/luca-biasco/46/b0b/581

mae C, Brigida I, Roncarolo MG, Di Serio C, von Kalle C, Schmidt M, Aiuti A. 

EMBO Mol Med. 2011