Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is characterised by motor dysfunction without tissue destruction, and its causes are unknown. This project will assess the role of pathogenic IgG serum autoantibodies in causing or contributing to FND and one other symptom-based disorder.

This project built on successful work in fibromyalgia syndrome (Goebel et al., 2021 https://www.jci.org/articles/view/144201). The project aims to establish whether function-changing IgG antibodies are present in the serum of patients with functional neurological disorder (motor subtype), and one other symptom-based disorder (likely fluoroquinolone toxicity), and explore binding pattern and downstream disease mechanisms. The project is best suited for a candidate with a strongly translational, or a clinical interest, i.e. with a strong interest in research with direct relevance to patients.

The candidate will establish a passive IgG murine-transfer models for FND. They will learn to master various methods of rodent assessment in order to record any specific transfer phenotype. They will also conduct work to identify antibody binding and down-stream effects involving immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and other technologies.

Email your CV, cover letter and project title to andreas.goebel@liverpool.ac.uk

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is characterised by motor dysfunction without tissue destruction, and its causes are unknown. This project will assess the role of pathogenic IgG serum autoantibodies in causing or contributing to FND and one other symptom-based disorder.

This project built on successful work in fibromyalgia syndrome (Goebel et al., 2021 https://www.jci.org/articles/view/144201). The project aims to establish whether function-changing IgG antibodies are present in the serum of patients with functional neurological disorder (motor subtype), and one other symptom-based disorder (likely fluoroquinolone toxicity), and explore binding pattern and downstream disease mechanisms. The project is best suited for a candidate with a strongly translational, or a clinical interest, i.e. with a strong interest in research with direct relevance to patients.

The candidate will establish a passive IgG murine-transfer models for FND. They will learn to master various methods of rodent assessment in order to record any specific transfer phenotype. They will also conduct work to identify antibody binding and down-stream effects involving immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and other technologies.

Email your CV, cover letter and project title to andreas.goebel@liverpool.ac.uk