DC10 - Alice Randon
​
My passion for scientific research began in high school. When I was only 14, I attended a scientific seminar and experienced a true “love at first sight” moment that inspired my lifelong journey in science. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Milano-Bicocca and, in March 2024, graduated with honors with a master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. For my master’s thesis, I conducted research at the Helmholtz Center Munich, investigating the effects of novel small-molecule TRAF protein–protein inhibitors on Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-positive target cells. After graduating, I joined the National Institute of Molecular Genetics (INGM) in Milan as a lab manager, here I contributed to the development of engineered extracellular vesicles for personalized leukemia therapy. In August 2025, I joined Professor Rob Collin’s lab at Radboudumc’s spin-off Astherna as a Marie Curie PhD fellow within the EFFecT consortium. My current research focuses on identifying antisense oligonucleotides to slow or halt the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, travel and experimenting in the kitchen trying out different recipes.
DC10: Antisense oligonucleotide-based intervention to combat age-related macular degeneration
​
Supervisors: Prof. R. Collin, Dr. M. Kaltak
Academic Supervisor: Dr. A. Garanto
External mentor: Prof. M. A. Denti
Host Institute: Astherna (www.astherna.com)
Secondments planned: University of Ghent, Belgium; University College London, UK
Doctoral program: PhD program of the Radboud University
Starting date: August 1st, 2025
​
Project description:
​
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most recurrent diseases in the elderly, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide. AMD is a multifactorial disorder influenced by a combination of genetic predispositions and environmental factors. From a molecular point-of-view, several pathways have been implicated in its pathophysiology and progression. Advances in research have identified candidate genes within these pathways whose expression could be targeted for therapeutic interventions.
In this project, we aim to combine state-of-the art molecular technologies and disease-relevant model systems to identify antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that can regulate the expression of selected genes, with the incentive to slow down or halt the progression of AMD. This position offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment between industry and academia, as the candidate will be primarily based at Astherna but will closely collaborate with scientists from the Department of Human Genetics of the Radboudumc.