Synthetic biology for stem cell engineering

Do you want to work in a newly started research group and help define how synthetic biology is used for regenerative medicine? In our lab (magnussonlab.org), we recently developed new technology that combines new CRISPR-based tools and machine learning algorithms to engineer transcriptional networks through multi-gene control in human pluripotent stem cells (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.04.621938v1).

With this technology, we seek to precisely program cell identity and complex cell behavior by engineering multi-gene networks as predicted by custom-designed computational algorithms. The long-term aim is to transform regenerative medicine into a rational engineering discipline where designer cells are programmed to carry out complex regenerative functions inside the body, similar to how CAR T cells are transforming immunotherapies. This long-term goal is broken down into smaller projects, each of which addresses a key bottleneck in this space.

Now, we are seeking outstanding students to pursue ambitious projects that seek to use synthetic biology to program cell fate and complex cell behaviors with the aim of advancing regenerative medicine. Laboratory skills including cell culture are highly meriting, as is experience with computational biology and machine learning. This project will be carried out at Karolinska Institutet and may involve work on both the Huddinge and Solna campuses. If you’re interested, please send your CV, a personal letter, and academic transcripts. We look forward to hearing from you.