- Department / Institute
- Biochemistry Department / German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
- Subject area
- Neurodegenerative Disease Research
- Project title
- Pathomechanism of sterile neuroinflammation driven by protein aggregation in ALS/FTD
- Name of supervisor
- Prof. Dr. Dieter Edbauer / Dr. Qihui Zhou
- Number of open positions
- 1 or 2
- Language requirements
- Fluent in English (IELTS 6.5 or higher, TOFEL IBT 95 or higher)
- Academic requirements
- Applications should hold a Master degree in Biological Sciences, i.e. Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biotechnology or similar or Master in Medicine with specialty in Neurology, or Immune and Inflammatory Diseases. Applications must have excellent technical skills, an enthusiasm for using and developing new techniques, and the interpersonal skills to work within a diverse team of scientists. Experience with mouse experiments, molecular biology or cell biology is preferred.
- Contact
- csc.international@lmu.de
Project description
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are progressive fatal neurodegenerative diseases with overlapping clinical symptoms and neuropathological findings. Protein aggregates are an important neuropathological feature in both familiar and sporadic ALS/FTD cases. We have focused on the C9orf72 mutation and other genetic forms of ALS/FTD to understand disease pathomechanism (Mori et al, Science 2013, May Acta Neuropath et al, 2014, Zhou et al, EMBO Mol Med 2017, Khosravi, EMBO Journal 2020) and develop mouse models for mechanistic and therapeutic studies (Schludi et al, Acta Neuropath 2017; Zhou& Mareljic et al, EMBO Mol Med 2020; LaClair& Zhou et al, Acta Neuropath 2020). In our ALS/FTD mouse models we noticed prominent neuroinflammation including interferon responses. This project aims to understand the pathomechanism of sterile neuroinflammation driven by protein aggregation in ALS/FTD. We will apply ex vivo and in vivo methods, e.g. AAV injection in mice.
Applications should include curriculum vitae, certificates, a summary of the previous work, a letter of motivation, and names and contact information of two references. Please send your application as one PDFdocument to both Prof. Dieter Edbauer and Dr. Qihui Zhou. Women are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities and equal qualifications will be given preferential treatment.