We are looking for two highly qualified and motivated PhD candidates in Neuroscience. The two positions are within the context of a large Dutch consortium "MODEM" from the ZonMW-Memorable initiative for dementia research. You are intended to closely collaborate within this larger scheme with each other as well as with the several PhD students and partners from within the consortium. Both positions are embedded respectively in the following two UvA/SILS research groups:
The research group
Cellular and Computational Neuroscience, part of the SILS Neuroscience theme, investigates the regulation of neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity mechanism that underlie learning and memory, at the level of cellular and network neuroscience using electrophysiological, live-imaging, pharmacological and molecular techniques.
The other research group, the
The Brain Plasticity Group tries to understand how the brain adapts to a changing, or challenging, environment. We study changes in brain plasticity at the molecular level, structural, functional and behavioral level and want to understand how they are modified by lifestyle factors, like (early life) stress, nutrition, inflammation, physical exercise, psychoactive drugs, and changed in brain and metabolic disorders.
The 2 Projects described here below will be lead and supervised by a joined team from these two departments including: Prof. dr. Helmut Kessels, Dr. Aniko Korosi, Dr. Harm Krugers and Prof. dr. Paul Lucassen.
Project 1: Synaptic impairment underlying circuitry and network dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease
Amyloid-β (Aβ), the prime suspect to cause Alzheimer's disease (AD), triggers synapse loss and alters network activity, causing memory impairment. The neurobiological substrate of such memories is (synapses on) memory engram cells. How Aβ affects the proper formation of engram cells/synapses and on network excitability is unknown. The objective of this project is to investigate how synapse and network changes corroborate to corrupt memory engrams in AD-mouse models. We hypothesize that inhibitory activity is affected by Aβ, and may play a central role in the synaptic impairments, disruption of network excitability, and memory engram formation as seen in AD. The experimental approach will combine molecular biology, electrophysiology and live-imaging techniques with behavioral tests and in vivo recordings to study the cause of AD-related memory impairment and mechanisms.
Project 2: The effects of early-life environment in modulating Alzheimer's disease progression and severity
Next to genetic determinants, there is increasing evidence that lifestyle (i.e. stress and diet) are key risk factors for developing AD, especially during the early sensitive developmental period. However the mechanisms of how early-life exposures modulate AD progression and severity remains poorly understood. We are therefore looking for a highly qualified and motivated PhD student to perform the preclinical studies investigating the effects of early-life stress and early-life diet enriched with fatty acids on progression of AD (using AD mouse models) focusing on microglia and how these modulate networks, specific synapses and memory engrams. The experimental approach will combine molecular biology, electrophysiology, advanced imaging techniques, FACsorting and ex vivo glia assays and behavioral tests.
Tasks and responsibilities
- complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years;
- gain knowledge of the field through literature survey, discussion with team members, and internal lab meetings
- contribute to the design of experiments and perform experiments;
- analyse and interpret results of experiments;
- enroll in the training program for PhD students in the graduate school ONWAR
(Graduate School Neurosciences Amsterdam Rotterdam);
- present data at local, national and international scientific meetings;
- assist in teaching undergraduates and Master's students and co-supervise junior scientists
(technicians, MSc/BSc students).