MSCA-PF Fellowship in Tendon Regeneration: Advanced Multicellular In Vitro Systems

Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology
Organisation / Company University of Teramo Department Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
This postdoctoral project will focuson innovative experimental platforms to model tendon biology and regenerative medicine through advanced multicellular in vitro systems.
Tendon injuries remain a clinically unresolved challenge, often leading to long-term functional impairment due to limited regenerative capacity and complex crosstalk between tendon proper and other complementary biological systems.
This postdoctoral project will develop tendon assembloids integrating tendon organoids with vascular and peripheral nervous system components to model this complexity in vitro. By capturing neuro-vascular–tendon crosstalk, the project aims to uncover key mechanisms of tendon organization, maturation, and regeneration, enabling the functional testing of molecular and cellular targets.
The research will address the following three key questions:
Can the assembly of vascular and peripheral neural components with tendon organoids generate emergent structural and functional properties that are not achievable in single-tissue tendon models?
Does neuro-vascular–tendon crosstalk act as a regulatory hub controlling tendon regenerative responses, and can its disruption or enhancement fundamentally alter tendon healing trajectories?
Can tendon assembloids be leveraged as a predictive and modulable platform to identify and functionally validate molecular or cellular targets, enabling their prioritisation for future translational studies in tendon regeneration?
The project aims to:

advance knowledge in musculoskeletal biology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine;
introduce innovative theoretical and/or methodological perspectives;
strengthen interdisciplinary and international approaches;
contribute to addressing relevant scientific and societal challenges.

How will you carry out your work?
Methodologically, the project will adopt:

Multicellular in vitro assembloid platforms based on the use of stem cells and tissue engineering platforms (e.g. scaffolds)
Cellular and molecular readouts (e.g. phenotypic, structural, and functional assays) and target modulation strategies to assess regenerative responses, supported by state-of-the-art technologies, such as molecular and imaging facilities (confocal and electron microscopy),

ensuring scientific rigor, originality, and a high level of ambition.
The selected fellow will be encouraged to progressively develop an independent research profile within this framework.
Who will supervise you – and why is this strong mentoring?
The project will be supervised by Prof. Valentina Russo, an established researcher with strong international experience in tendon regenerative medicine (Scopus Author : ).
Prof. Russo has an active research profile intendon biology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine, with demonstrated expertise in advanced 3D in vitro culture systems and functional modelling of tendon regeneration, as well as intranslational in vivo models of tendon healing, and is strongly engaged in international research networks.
The supervisor and the research group provides a stimulating and supportive environment, fostering scientific independence, excellence, and international exposure.
Why is UniTE a competitive host institution for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship?
The University of Teramo (UniTE) offers a highly structured and supportive environment for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows.
Selected candidates applying to the MSCA PF 2026 call will benefit from:

Full support from the UniTE MSCA Desk throughout the entire pre-award phase ;
Dedicated proposal training (MSCA PF Master Class) ;
Two-step professional proposal review (sequential reviews before submission) .

Funded fellows will also benefit from:

Full support from the UniTE MSCA Desk for the post-award phase;
A tailored welcome and mobility support service (arrival, departure, and administrative procedures);
Access tocertified laboratories equipped for molecular and…