Targeting human neurodegenerative diseases using the fruit-fly Drosophila melanogaster

About the Project

Almost a million of people in the UK suffer from neurodegenerative disorders. Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Frontotemporal dementia are the most common causes of neurodegenerative dementias. Parkinson's disease, the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or motor neurone disease are progressive movement diseases. According to the World Health Organisation, neurodegenerative diseases will surpass cancer to become the second most leading cause of death in the world by 2040.

In the last 20 years the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster emerged as a pre-eminent model system for studying changes that occur during both normal and pathological ageing (~75 per cent of the genes that cause disease in humans are also found in the fruit fly!). In our lab, we use a range of genetic, molecular, imaging, physiological, behavioural and computational techniques to investigate Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Motor neurone disease (ALS/MND) and Parkinson's disease (PD) with the goal of identifying novel molecular targets and pharmacological agent for therapeutic interventions in humans (see below links to some our recent papers related to this topic). We are also collaborating with several prominent laboratories in the UK to test the effect of these interventions in patient-derived cells.

Entry Requirements: Candidates are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a related area /subject. Candidates with experience in molecular biology, biochemistry, computational modelling, electrophysiology or Drosophila genetics are particularly encouraged to apply.

References

B. Zhang, E. Dunn, R.S.B. Williams, S. Snowden, H. Augustin: Decanoic acid extends lifespan and modulates metabolism in models of PLA2G6-associated neurodegeneration. Disease Models and Mechanisms, 2025). Link.

E. Dunn…H. Augustin: Medium-Chain Fatty Acids Rescue Motor Function and Neuromuscular Junction Degeneration in a Drosophila Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Cells, 2023). Link.

E. Dunn, B. Zhang, V. Sahota, H. Augustin: Potential benefits of medium chain fatty acids in aging and neurodegenerative disease. Review (Front. Aging Neurosci., 2023). Link.