PhD fellowship in Biophysics and Cellular Biology
Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (SUND)
University of Copenhagen
Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology is offering a three-year PhD fellowship in biophysics and cellular biology. The PhD fellowship is financed by Dr Céline Galvagnion. The fellowship is available from 1 August 2019 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Project description
Parkinson’s Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and the presence of protein deposits in the brain of patients. These deposits are mainly composed of the protein α-synuclein but can also contain other molecules such as lipids. Moreover, increasing evidence points towards a link between changes in lipid homeostasis and α-synuclein and PD pathology. However, the mechanism by which these lipid changes may influence the propensity of α-synuclein to form aggregates in the cells and in vivo remains to be addressed.
The advertised research project aims at studying the interplay between changes in lipid metabolism associated with PD and the propensity of α-synuclein to form toxic aggregates in different cellular models of the disease. In particular, lipid changes associated with PD will be investigated in dopaminergic-like cells using biochemical and chemical assays including mass spectrometry analyses. Once identified, the influence of these lipid changes on the lipid-binding and aggregation propensity of α-synuclein will be investigated at the molecular level using a range of biophysical methods including circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, calorimetry and microscopy.
We are looking for a highly motivated and independent PhD student with an expertise in cellular and molecular biology and an experience with cell culture, RNAi, protein (Western blotting) and RNA analysis (RT-qPCR), immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy.
Principal supervisor
Dr Céline Galvagnion, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology,
Required qualifications
As an applicant you must have:
- Obtained a Master´s degree in biophysics or cellular biology or related areas prior to the starting date
- Fluency in English and excellent communication skills
Preferred qualifications
- biophysics
- cellular biology
For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://employment.ku.dk/phd/?show=149477