fellowship #2 - Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration

Announcement date: July 19th 2024

Apply by: July 30th 2024

How to apply: by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Interview date: August 1st 2024

Position starts: August 8th 2024

Procedure ID: PMPN.110.03.2024

Laboratory website: https://www.imdik.pan.pl/en/laboratories/1128-laboratory-of-molecular-basis-of-neurodegeneration

Project description:

The project „Importance of Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter for Unique Resistance of CA2 Hippocampal Neurons to Injury” will be carried out in the Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Neurodegeneration, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute under the supervision of dr. Michał Węgrzynowicz. Hippocampal region CA2 is a small and poorly investigated structure that is found between regions CA1 and CA3, and is involved in social memory. CA2 neurons are characterized by unique properties – high synaptic stability and significant resistance to excitotoxic injury, what distinguishes them from the neurons of neighboring regions (especially CA1). Molecular/cellular basis of these differences between hippocampal subregions have been unexplained for long time, although it was shown in recent years that differences in calcium homeostasis may be responsible for diverse electrophysiological properties of CA1, CA2 and CA3 neurons. In this project we will test the hypothesis that differences in calcium buffering in conjunction with subregion-specific arginine metabolic pathway direction are the factors responsible for differential sensitivity of individual hippocampal structures to excitotoxicity. The project will be carried out with the use of transgenic mouse models and organotypic hippocampal slice cultures with multidisciplinary research approach including methods like, among others, live imaging, pharmacological and genetic modifications or stereology as well as various biochemical, histological and microscopic techniques.

Key responsibilities:

  • preparation and maintenance of hippocampal organotypic slice cultures
  • preparation and maintenance of hippocampal acute slices
  • experimental modelling of excitotoxicity in both organotypic and acute slices
  • pharmacological and/or genetic modification of selected pathways involved in cellular calcium homeostasis and arginine metabolism
  • confocal microscopy including live imaging
  • microdissection of hippocampal subregions
  • immunohistochemistry- and immunoblotting-based analysis of selected protein expression/distribution
  • metabolite assays
  • analysis of obtained data

Requirements:

  • student in a doctoral school in Poland
  • interest in neuroscience
  • experience in laboratory work (at least 2 years)
  • experience in preparation and maintenance of organotypic slice cultures; experience in work on acute slices; experience in confocal microscopy and live imaging; experience in viral-based techniques; experience in immunohistochemistry and western blotting
  • knowledge of mouse brain anatomy
  • authorship/co-authorship of scientific publications and/or participation in scientific conferences
  • participation in international courses and workshops, obtaining stipends/fellowships, and/or participation/managing scientific projects
  • good command of English, knowledge of scientific English

We offer:

  • scientific fellowship (3000 PLN pre-tax/month) from the NCN Opus grant 2023/51/B/NZ4/02605 (15 months)
  • collaboration with scientific centers in Poland and abroad
  • possibility of active participation in national and international conferences
  • authorship/co-authorship in scientific publications


Conditions of employment:
Starting date: August 8th 2024
Duration: 15 months
Fellowship amount: 3000 PLN pre-tax/month

Required documents: CV; a document confirming PhD student status of the applicant; (optionally) additional documents confirming applicant achievements


Candidates will be considered by the Scholarship Committee, with the project manager as chairman. The committee will assess the candidates' previous scientific achievements, their achievements in conducting scientific research and their competences to carry out specific tasks in the research project, on a point scale in accordance with § 3, point. 14 of the Regulations on awarding research scholarships in research projects financed by the National Science Center.

Only pre-selected candidates will be invited to the interview.

 

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