Research Assistant - Cambridge, United Kingdom - University of Cambridge

University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Verified Company
Cambridge, United Kingdom

1 month ago

Tom O´Connor

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter
Description

Applications are invited for a research assistant to join the team of Dr Gabriel Balmus, in the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) Centre at the University of Cambridge for a project to explore the role of DNA Damage in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Funded by OPEN Targets, this project will include collaborations between the Balmus Laboratory at UK-DRI in Cambridge and the Sanger Institute.

This project is currently funded until 1st June 2024 with the possibility of being extended.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating, motor neuron degenerative disease without any cure.

About 95% of the ALS patients feature abnormalities in the RNA/DNA-binding protein, TDP-43 and FUS, involving its nucleo-cytoplasmic mislocalization in spinal motor neurons.

How TDP-43/FUS pathology triggers neuronal apoptosis remains unclear.

Recent studies show that TDP-43 participates in the DNA damage response (DDR) in neurons, and its nuclear clearance in spinal motor neurons caused DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair defects in ALS.

The current proposal is aimed as understanding the roles of endogenous created DNA-damage in human cells (ESCs, iPS) that model ALS/FTD via CRISPR/Cas9 screens as well as drug screens.

Moreover, to determine the specificity of endogenous DNA Damage stressors a model for Parkinson Disease (PARK7) will be used.

The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap.

We are a globally leading multidisciplinary research institute of 700 staff investigating the spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders causing dementia, with laboratory-based research groups located at University College London, the University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, Edinburgh University, Imperial College London and King's College London.


Cambridge Developing new treatments that can prevent the onset of dementia or protect neurons from damage is hindered by our lack of knowledge in the fundamental causes and mechanisms behind neurodegeneration.

Scientists at the UK DRI at Cambridge use cutting-edge approaches to build our understanding of the biological processes behind the earliest stages of neurodegeneration and ageing.

They explore mechanisms causing the loss of vital connections between neurons and the pathways that drive repair of these connections, which are essential for memory formation and survival of brain cells and identify key molecular targets for translation into effective treatments to stop, slow or reverse dementia.


Closing date:
Sunday 2nd July 2023.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
More jobs from University of Cambridge
See all jobs of University of Cambridge