PRR Project

Summary

Scientific profile and tasks to be assigned :The Assistant Professor to be appointed should focus on the over-arching field of Infection, Inflammation, or Immunology, with a primary focus on microbe-host interactions and their implications in neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, among other relevant areas. This position should advance our understanding in different areas including the regulation of parasitic and viral infections, exploring the intricate network of immune system modulation across different anatomical compartments, investigating the role of cell metabolism in immune responses, investigating inflammatory processes in lifestyle and aging-related diseases, developing reliable in vitro systems for assessing immune and inflammatory responses to various agents, and contributing to understanding the evolving landscape of cancer immunotherapy.The successful candidate should lead a research program at CIBB centered on one or more of the above topics. The appointed faculty member will actively collaborate with CIBB researchers, fostering interdisciplinary connections and providing expertise in developing, designing, and implementing cutting-edge approaches in infection, inflammation, or immunology research, while contributing to teaching in the same topics. The new hire should be able to advance fundamental knowledge in these critical areas and contribute to the development of potential therapies with a broad societal impact, while contributing to advance training of students. Successful candidates are expected to teach and mentor students, engage in collaborative research projects, and contribute actively to the academic community. Rationale for the need, relevance of the scientific profile in the context of the state-of-the-art and involved institutions :The investigation of the mechanisms at the cellular and tissue levels of Infection, Inflammation, or Immunology is very relevant for the research performed in the Neuroscience and Disease, Metabolism, Aging and Disease, and Advanced Therapies thematic areas at CIBB. This emphasis is critical for bridging research already being performed and contributing to uncover essential aspects, including:I. Host-Microbe Interactions and Immune Regulation:Understanding the intricate biochemical aspects of host-microbe interactions is central to advancing knowledge in Infection and Immunology. Investigating the energetics and regulation of cellular processes, including nutrient uptake and immune response modulation, is vital for deciphering the complexities of infectious diseases and potential therapeutic interventions, both key over-arching aims at the above CIBB research areas.II. Inflammatory Processes and Disease: The scientific profile we are seeking will play a crucial role in unraveling the regulation of inflammatory processes, particularly their role in lifestyle and aging-related diseases. Exploring these phenomena at the biochemical level is essential for deciphering the mechanisms driving inflammatory responses and their implications in various pathological conditions which have a large prevalence in more developed countries, such as diabetes, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.III. Metabolic Regulation of Immune Responses:In the field of Immunology, understanding the impact of cell metabolism on immune responses is currently a very active field of research. The faculty member can contribute to the identification of potential therapeutic interventions, exploring the intersection between cellular metabolism and immune function.These three aspects can link to the many central topics of research in CIBB, and can take advantage of the current state-of-the-art scientific infrastructures at CIBB.