PhD student in GPCR Signaling and Obesity Research

Job DescriptionObesity is a global healthcare problem and is a major risk factor for metabolic comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In the Western world we live in an obesogenic environment that promotes weight gain. However, genetic factors can also increase susceptibility to obesity, and individuals with complex rare genetic syndromes often present with dysregulated metabolic function. Our research as part of the Obesity Center CGG (Centrum Gezond Gewicht) at Erasmus MC shows that people with severe and early-onset obesity may carry genetic mutations or variants as an underlying cause of their obesity. Many of these mutations occur in genes encoding cell surface receptors, their associated ligands or cellular signaling partners involved in appetite regulation or present on adipocytes.The Laboratory of Metabolism and Reproduction in the Department of Internal Medicine has a vacant PhD position for a project aimed at better understanding the signal transduction pathways underlying obesity and metabolic dysfunction. The project will encompass basic research to study how G protein-coupled receptor signaling modulates adipocyte function. The project will also involve functional screening of mutations identified in our patient population using some of the latest techniques in the field of GPCR signaling. This research will contribute to personalized treatment of obesity as it may aid in the selection of patients for specific therapeutic treatments.