Research Assistant - Cambridge, United Kingdom - University of Cambridge

University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
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Cambridge, United Kingdom

4 weeks ago

Tom O´Connor

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Tom O´Connor

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Description

A Research Assistant position is available within the group of Dr Gabriel Balmus at the UK Dementia Research Institute (UKDRI), focused on exploring the relationship between DNA Damage and Huntington's Disease.

The work is funded by the CHDI Foundation for 2 years.


Huntington's Disease (HD) is a fatal autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by unstable expansion of a CAG triple nucleotide repeat in the coding region of the HTT gene.

Currently, no treatment can slow or stop disease initiation or progression; thus, there is an unmet need that requires research aimed at discovering disease modifiers prospective to become used in therapy.

Large HD population studies have recently uncovered that the expansion of repeats is strongly modified by two distinct DNA damage and repair (DDR) modules, FAN1 and mismatch repair (MMR).

The goal of this project is to elucidate the associated network of genes that are modulators of CAG repeat expansion and integrate this network with the broad DNA Damage Response network.

Uncovering this network would represent an important step forward for better understanding the best druggable targets and how to stratify patients.

Education to MSc or equivalent degree in Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Genetics or a related discipline is required.

Experience in cell and molecular biology techniques, such as DNA cloning, PCR and tissue culture, is essential.

Other desirable skills include cell line design and development, genetic and phenotypic validation, and molecular biology techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, RT-PCR, western blot, etc.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
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