What happens to oligodendrocytes that survive myelin damage and loss?
About the Project
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate for a project focused on understanding the consequences of myelin damage and loss in the central nervous system. The selected candidate will receive a fully funded 4-year University of Edinburgh College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine PhD Studentship in Neuroscience. Start date: September 2026
PhD project: Myelin, made by glial cells called oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system, is essential to the formation, health and function of our brain and spinal cord. Myelin is damaged and/or lost across a range of human conditions, spanning neurodevelopmental disorders through neurodegenerative disease. Although the loss of myelin, demyelination, has been known as a hallmark of certain conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS), we have a surprisingly limited understanding as to how demyelination occurs. Recently, the Lyons lab employed zebrafish as a model to better understand the process of demyelination, taking advantage of the natural transparency of larval zebrafish to directly observe the consequences of inducing myelin damage over time. Two key observations were made. The first was that demyelination is characterised by a period in which myelin sheaths swell up prior to being lost and that not all damaged myelin becomes lost- some damaged myelin could undergo repair. Secondly, it was discovered that oligodendrocytes could even survive very extensive loss of myelin. These observations were confirmed in mammalian models and in the context of multiple sclerosis. We now need to deepen our understanding of what happens to oligodendrocytes upon myelin damage and loss? Why does some damaged myelin become lost and other myelin repair? Are oligodendrocytes that survive myelin damage and loss beneficial, or do they retain signatures of damage that might lead to longer term harm? To address these questions, this PhD will employ zebrafish models to understand the molecular and cellular consequences of myelin damage and cross-compare findings in zebrafish with those in mammalian models of myelin damage and human disease.
Training: The project will be performed under the supervision of Prof. David Lyons (primary supervisor), supported by collaborators within the MS Society Edinburgh Centre for MS research. You will receive training in the use of zebrafish as a model, cell biology including live in vivo imaging, molecular biology, bioinformatics, pharmacology and much more, within world-class facilities.
Candidates: We seek a highly motivated scientist who views this project as a gateway to a career in neuroscience research. The ideal candidate will hold a BSc (Hons) degree (First or Upper Second class, or equivalent) or a Master's qualification (Distinction or Merit) in biomedical sciences. Previous research experience is desirable.
We especially encourage applications from candidates with nontraditional backgrounds and those from underrepresented groups. Equality, diversity, and inclusion are fundamental to the success of The University of Edinburgh and are central to all our activities.
Eligibility: UK students only.
Research environment: The project will be embedded within the newly formed Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular research and the MS Society Edinburgh Centre for MS Research. Research in the Edinburgh Centre for MS research aims to understand what causes damage to the nervous system in disease, identify strategies to treat nervous system damage and help deliver treatments to people living with disease. Based on the BioQuarter campus, this research is supported by excellent core research facilities.
Enquiries and Information: Please contact Prof. David Lyons David.Lyons@ed.ac.uk for any further information.
Application: Please include a one-page personal statement highlighting your motivation for applying to this PhD, your CV, and contacts two academic references. All documents should be emailed to Lynn Meikle, INCR, The Queen’s Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ. Tel: +44(0) 131 242 6724 Email: Lynn.Meikle@ed.ac.uk
Closing date: July 10th 2026
Interview date: mid to end July 2026
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