PhD Student

The Junior Research Group Neuroplasticity, at the Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Germany is looking for 1 highly motivated student with top grades, talent and creativity who likes to work on one the following the Ph.D. project:

1) Proteotoxicity and Aging of the Nervous System

Many diseases of aging, including Alzheimer's disease and various forms of Parkinsonism, are associated with proteotoxicity caused by improper folding and aggregation of proteins. Recently a Drosophila “Alzheimer” model was described which allows key stages in disease progression to be studied. Specifically it facilitates analysis of processing of the Alzheimer precursor protein (APP) into the Aß peptide which has been implicated as the main instigator of disease [Greeve et. al, JNS, 2004 p 3899]. We have utilized this model to identify putative modifiers that link aging and APP induced neuronal cell death [unpublished results]. Furthermore, we want to address the effect of modifying signalling pathways involved in aging on the neurodegeneration apparent in this model.  Subsequently we will assess the effects of these modifications on neurodegeneration induced by Aß alone [Iijima et. al., PNAS, 2004. p 6623], tau [Wittmann et. al., Science, 2001 p 711] and other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3). In addition to fly genetics and husbandry, specific techniques designed to test behavioural changes, memory/learning deficiencies and retinal degeneration have been designed for use in this project. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated student with top grades, talent and creativity who is willing to visit collaborating laboratories in the course of his/her PhD.

We are furthermore looking for a research technican with (at least) a B.Sc. degree and at least 4 years of experience in Histology and Electron Microscopy who is interested to qualify for a Ph.D.

2) Ultrastructural correlates of Proteotoxicity

Special focus of the PhD project (which is to follow a potential upfront qualifikation period) would be proteotoxicity caused by improper folding and aggregation of proteins. Many diseases of aging, including Alzheimer's disease and various forms of Parkinsonism, are associated with such proteotoxicity. Recently a Drosophila “Alzheimer” model was described which allows key stages in disease progression to be studied. Aim of the PhD project would be to correlate fly behaviour and ultra-structural analysis to identify common structural manifestations of disease progression within the cell and to understand what impact these changes have on fly behaviour. The results aim at furthering our understanding of disease progression in various neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore they shall help us to gain a more detailed insight into the mechanism of action of protective compounds and genetic modifiers.

In addition to fly genetics and husbandry, specific techniques designed to test behavioral changes, memory/learning deficiencies and retinal degeneration have been designed for use in this project.