Endoplasmic Reticulum Transport and Morphoregulation in Neuron (Patho) Physiology

Aims

Mounting data points to a critical role of ER morphology regulation in neuronal functioning. This is prominently exemplified by the direct association of ER morphogens (aka ER shaping proteins) with neuropathologies such as Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and dementia-related diseases.

We seek understanding of how ER’s network integrity, morphological regulation and luminal transport support neuronal cell functioning, with a view to identifying new intervention targets for prevention of neurodegenerative avalanche.

The projects on this theme involve editing of candidate genes in cells with potential to differentiate to neurons/glia, and analysing the consequences of the targeted mutagenesis on structure/function of neuronal ER using live cell microscopy techniques such as super-resolution imaging and single-particle tracking and neuronal activity analyses e.g. calcium imaging (carried out in collaboration with optics physicists and computer scientists). Focused projects exploring benefits of modulation (e.g. induced degradation) of candidate ER-morphogens for neuronal health and axonal regeneration are also available.

Edward Avezov (ea347@medschl.cam.ac.uk)

UK Dementia Research Institute (https://www.ukdri.ac.uk/centres/cambridge)

Funding Notes

For academic year October 27/28;

Gates US applications (round 1) close 14th October 26, further information available via Gates Website; View Website

Cambridge Trust, Gates Cambridge (round 2) deadline 8th December 26 to be eligible for funding. If you apply after the funding deadlines you will not be eligible for the Cambridge Funding competition, please indicate in your application all the funding you are eligible for. You can also check funding search Search - Postgraduate Funding Search

Funding is not available for Lent or Easter 27 places as the funding deadline for these has already passed, you will need to have other funding in place to support your studies

References

Application portal link;

PhD https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcnpdpcn/apply

Research MPhil https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcnmpmds/apply

Please do try to get in contact directly with the supervisor should you want to discuss the project further. If you do not hear back from the supervisor, you contact you can still include their name on the application as this will be sent to them to review as well as our committee.