Identifying novel regulators of synapse formation and neuronal plasticity

Description of the research topic

“The project aims to elucidate novel molecular pathways regulating synapse formation and neuronal plasticity. Experiments are carried out in hippocampal cell cultures or in acute brain slices. In addition, behavioural or learning tests carried out in transgenic mouse lines are also in use to validate in vitro molecular results. The main focus of our research is to reveal specific pathways regulated by the serine –threonine kinase protein kinase D (PKD) and to analyse the importance of scaffold molecules in synapse organisation.
In the frame of the experimental work, activity-dependent plasticity is induced by chemical, optogenetic or electrophysiological methods and the subsequent changes are analysed by molecular, microscopic or electrophysiological tools. Using confocal live cell imaging methods in neurons expressing fluorescently tagged proteins, the dynamic rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton and the intracellular transport of ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits are quantitatively investigated.
The successful candidate must speak fluent English and should have a strong interest in neuroscience and cell biology. Prior experience with mammalian cell culture and/or animal handling is an advantage. Due to a long-standing scientific collaboration with a German laboratory, the candidate should be ready to participate in travel exchange programs and spend some time (max 2 months/year) within the collaborator’s laboratory.”

Thesis supervisor: Katalin Schlett

Required language skills: English
Further requirements: MSc degree in neuroscience, cell biology or molecular biology; previous experience with mammalian cell culture and/or animal handling is an advantage

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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