Maastricht University (UM) has a strong international profile, with about 50% of the students and 40% of the academic staff coming from abroad. UM is renowned for the innovating teaching methods for the curricula in biomedical sciences and in medicine, that include, among others, the Problem-Based Learning system.

Developmental biology, endometriosis and oncology research are embedded within GROW (School for Oncology and Developmental Biology), a graduate school accredited by the Dutch Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences. GROW focuses on research and teaching of (epi)genetic and cellular concepts, (micro)environmental factors underlying normal, abnormal and cell development. The intimate connection between UM/GROW and the adjacent academic hospital is key to a close collaboration with clinicians, and a solid translational approach in research.

The MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine operates at the interface between biology and engineering for the purpose of regenerating diseased or damaged tissues, with a reputation for translating research findings into clinical solutions. With a focus on developing three-dimensional cell culture and bioreactors, the department has significant capacities in microfluidics, light microscopy, and methods for creating 3D in vitro culture platforms to study cell behaviour with complex microenvironments. Recent efforts have focused on peripheral nerve repair, 3D in vitro models of nerve myelination, and IPSC-derive neural differentiation.

UM is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to carry on the proposed activities, including ample lab space, animal, radionuclide and biobanking facilities, dedicated small-animal CT, PET and MRI devices, NGS-sequencers, various LC/MS-MS machines, microscopy and high content screening, biofabrication facilities (e.g. 3D (bio)printing), 3D in vitro cell culture, human IPSC-derived nociceptive neuron derivation.

The available UM staff and the key people of the project can ensure excellent supervision and training programmes.

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