Screening for autophagy-enhancing cyclodextrins and their characterization in neurodegenerative models

Description of the research topic

Massive loss of specific neurons is a shared feature of neurodegenerative diseases which is mainly caused by the progressive, lifelong accumulation of unrepaired cellular damage. The main cellular mechanism that eliminates such damages is represented by autophagy (cellular self-eating), during which parts of the cytoplasm are delivered into the lysosomal compartment for degradation. Pharmacological induction of autophagy is now a central area of current pharma industry. In the frame of the PhD program we intend to screen natural carbohydrates called cyclodextrins for their potential capacity to induce the autophagic process. Candidates will be tested in various autophagy reporters and in different in vivo neurodegenerative models. Finally, we will perform the preclinical development of the most promising candidates.

Thesis supervisor: Tibor Vellai

Required language skills: English
Further requirements:
knowledge with model systems (C. elegans, Drosophila), molecular biology, and genetic analysis.

How to Apply?

If you are interested apply here: [PhD] Doctoral School of Biology – Eötvös Loránd University (elte.hu)

For more information visite the following website: Doctoral School of Biology (elte.hu)

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