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IGTP offers PhD opportunities under the INPhINIT incoming 2025 call by Fundación "la Caixa"

- Campus Can Ruti, Projects

Fundación "la Caixa" is offering 30 fellowships to researchers of all nationalities who wish to pursue official PhD studies in STEM disciplines at research centres and centres of excellence in Spain and Portugal.

The INPhINIT Incoming 2025 call is now open, and applicants can submit their proposals for a scientific PhD until 23 January 2025. Final results will be announced on 6 June 2025.

Eligible host institutions include Severo Ochoa research centres, María de Maeztu units, Institutos de Investigación Sanitaria - Health Research Institutes - accredited by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), and Centres of Excellence accredited by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. These are internationally renowned institutions with a significant scientific impact and strong collaboration with the social and business sectors.

The Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), as a CERCA Centre and a centre of excellence accredited by ISCIII, is open to hosting students under this program. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to join one of IGTP's research groups and carry out their PhD research in their area of interest.

Ovarian cancer research: from 'omics' data to preclinical models addressing treatment resistance mechanisms

A position is available within the OTR group, under the supervision of Dr Jordi Barretina and Dr Arola Fortian, to participate in a research project investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying treatment resistance in ovarian cancer. This multidisciplinary approach integrates transcriptomic, genomic, and proteomic data to deepen the understanding of the biological bases of this resistance. The selected candidate will play a key role in developing and applying advanced preclinical models, such as three-dimensional (3D) cultures and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), to test new therapeutic strategies.

Community-based public health research to improve the health and wellbeing of gay, bisexual, MSM, transgender people, and other vulnerable populations in Latin America

The selected candidate will work at CEEISCAT-IGTP, part of the Community Research Hub of the Coalition PLUS, an international network of over 100 community-based organisations and academic centres worldwide. CEEISCAT-IGTP co-coordinates the Right PLUS network, specialising in community-based research in Latin America.

The network's main project for the coming years is the LAMIS-2025 (Latin American MSM Internet Survey), an online survey on the psychosocial and sexual health of MSM. The aim is to generate data to enhance public health responses for this population, targeting participation levels comparable to the 2018 survey, which gathered nearly 65,000 responses. Topics include pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), DoxyPEP, violence, mental health, and migration.

Hepatoblastoma research

The c-LOG group is a young, dynamic, and motivated team dedicated to advancing the understanding of childhood liver cancer, particularly hepatoblastoma. This rare paediatric tumour has been increasing in incidence worldwide, highlighting the need for further study to improve diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

Hepatoblastoma presents unique challenges due to its low mutational burden, requiring alternative approaches to understand its development. In this context, the tumour microenvironment has emerged as a key research area with significant potential for identifying therapeutic targets that could lead to innovative treatment strategies.

Immunological spectrum of tuberculosis: new insights into incipient and subclinical disease forms

The immune mechanisms involved in the protection and progression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection remain poorly understood. The term "M. tuberculosis infection" now encompasses a diverse spectrum of states, each requiring specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

This group investigates immune responses across the tuberculosis (TB) spectrum to understand host-pathogen interactions using both human and murine models. The ultimate goal is to identify novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets.

Investigating the interplay between genomics, cell identity and microenvironment, in the formation of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours and other neural crest-derived cancers

This group studies tumours of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and sporadic cases, focusing on malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs)-aggressive sarcomas with high metastatic potential and limited therapeutic options.

Using 3D models derived from stem cells and CRISPR-editing techniques, the team investigates the molecular and epigenetic foundations of these tumours, developing preclinical models for drug screening and precision oncology.

Improving genetic diagnostics in hereditary cancers

This project aims to improve genetic diagnostics for hereditary cancer patients using advanced RNA sequencing (RNAseq) technologies and long-read sequencing platforms like Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT).

The focus is to complement DNA-based genetic panels with cDNA analysis, allowing for the detection of splicing variants, differential allele expression, and the reclassification of variants of unknown significance (VUS).

This new methodology will focus on patients with a predisposition to hereditary cancers such as neurofibromatosis, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and Lynch syndrome, with the ultimate goal of optimising diagnosis, prevention, and treatment for these patients and their at-risk relatives, expanding personalised medicine options.

Targeting tumour microenvironment to enhance lymphocytic infiltration in colorectal cancer

This PhD project explores how the epigenetic repression of extracellular matrix remodellers, associated with increased lymphocyte infiltration in colorectal cancers (CRC), can enhance the response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies (ICIs). Using molecular techniques, three-dimensional (3D) co-culture models, and computational analysis of genomic and epigenomic data, the project aims to understand the underlying mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic targets to increase the immunogenicity of CRC and other gastrointestinal cancers, such as gastric adenocarcinomas.

The project also plans to validate findings in additional cohorts and potentially in more complex preclinical models, such as patient-derived xenografts, leveraging the facilities at the CMCiB.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic cancer predisposition syndrome that affects 1 in 3,000 individuals. It is characterised by tumours of the peripheral nervous system, such as cutaneous neurofibromas (cNF) and plexiform neurofibromas (pNF), which may progress to atypical neurofibromas (aNF) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST).

MPNSTs are aggressive sarcomas with high metastatic potential and limited therapeutic options, representing the primary cause of mortality associated with NF1. This project seeks to deepen the understanding of these tumours using advanced technologies such as single-cell multimodal data integration, nanopore DNA sequencing, and cfDNA analysis for early detection and tissue-of-origin identification.

The ultimate goal is to apply these tools in clinical practice to improve the diagnosis and management of patients with rare cancers, focusing on translational research and innovative technologies.

Discovery of biomarkers, mechanisms of cell death, and innovative stroke models

The PhD project will be conducted within the CMN group, which investigates brain pathologies associated with neurovascular disorders, with a special emphasis on stroke, one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.

This project addresses this pressing need by developing and testing an innovative treatment in a large animal stroke model with a brain architecture similar to that of humans. Using the advanced facilities of the CMCiB, the project will conduct preclinical trials critical for transitioning to clinical studies.

Specific objectives include identifying biochemical and imaging biomarkers to improve patient classification and outcome prediction, investigating innovative mechanisms of cell death to identify novel therapeutic targets, and developing advanced models to study white matter damage and brain connectivity using multimodal MRI imaging.

Development of epigenetic diagnostics and therapies for thyroid cancer

This PhD project focuses on the development of epigenetic diagnostics and therapies for aggressive differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), aiming to improve patient management, quality of life, and survival.

The study seeks to validate epigenetic biomarkers for early prediction of metastasis and treatment resistance, explore the use of extracellular vesicles as liquid biopsy tools, and identify therapeutic targets through multi-omics approaches and patient-derived preclinical models.

This translational project combines molecular biology, CRISPR genomic editing, cell cultures, and bioinformatics analysis, working closely with clinicians to integrate findings into medical practice.

Biology of Tumour-Associated Macrophages (TAM)

The project aims to deepen the understanding of TAM biology, advance the development of a new immunotherapy, and explore its mechanism of action to create an innovative cancer treatment.

The candidate will work closely with TAM Therapeutics, a spin-off focused on regulatory, clinical, and commercial development of this research. This unique experience combines cutting-edge research with the practical application of results in preclinical and clinical settings, enriching the candidate's academic and professional development.

Research into Lewy body disorders

The GTS group offers a PhD position to investigate Lewy body disorders, such as dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease (PD), with a strong translational focus.

The project centres on developing and validating miRNA-based biomarkers for early DLB diagnosis and includes studying the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms, particularly signal transduction and its role in preclinical stages of the disease.

Additionally, the research will examine platelet activation, interactions with immune cells, mitochondrial function, and the impact of diseased platelets on the blood-brain barrier and neurons, aiming to improve early diagnosis and treatment.

For more information on the requirements and selection process, as well as to apply for the fellowship, please visit the call's official webpage.

To learn more about IGTP opportunities and submit an application to pursue a PhD within one of its research groups, please visit the IGTP offer page.