-----Original Message-----
From: bco-bounces@lists.oulu.fi [mailto:bco-bounces@lists.oulu.fi] On Behalf Of Anita Tienhaara
Sent: 15. lokakuuta 2008 13:39
To: FinBioNet@sender-02.it.helsinki.fi
Subject: [Bco] PhD Studentship at the Department of Neuroscience, King’s College London

PhD Studentship: The Neurobiology of Neurodegeneration

Department of Neuroscience and Centre for the Cellular Basis of Behaviour, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London

The Department of Neuroscience invites applications for a PhD studentship to study the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration within the central nervous system. This studentship is funded by the NCL Stiftung for a period of three years starting in January 2009 and provides a stipend and fees (for UK or EU nationals), subject to eligibility requirements.

“Pathogenic impact of immune-related cells in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Batten Disease)” supervised by Dr Jonathan Cooper, in collaboration with Prof. Rudolf Martini, (Department of Neurology, Developmental Neurobiology, University of Würzburg, Germany).

There is increasing evidence that low grade inflammation of the brain occurs in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders. This includes neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL or Batten disease), a group of fatal lysosomal storage disorders that primarily affect children. This project will investigate the role of inflammatory cells in mouse models of infantile and juvenile NCL. We shall first define the types of these cells present in the CNS, and then explore the effect of blocking their activity upon disease progression. Knowing the role of different immune cells will provide information that is crucial for development of treatment strategies for individual forms of NCL via the blockade of lymphocyte/microglia activation to encourage neuronal survival.

Further details about Batten Disease and research in the Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory can be found at ( http://neuroscience.iop.kcl.ac.uk/psdl ) or via the NCL Stiftung website ( http://www.ncl- stiftung.de/englisch/home/index.php ) with informal inquiries about the studentship welcome via ( j.cooper@iop.kcl.ac.uk ).

The studentship is based in the Department of Neuroscience, Centre for the Cellular Basis of Behaviour, and MRC Centre in Neurodegeneration, at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, a 5* rated center of excellence for research in the Neurosciences. Further information on research in the Department of Neuroscience can be found at: ( http://neuroscience.iop.kcl.ac.uk ).

Applicants should hold a 1st or upper 2nd university degree or MSc, preferably with a neuroscience, morphological or immunological background. Previously unsuccessful applicants to the Department of Neuroscience should not reapply.

How to apply

Please forward a covering letter (preferably via e-mail) describing why you wish to study for a PhD in this research area. You should include a brief Curriculum Vitae including the name of three academic referees, current postal and e-mail address to: Dr Jonathan Cooper, Pediatric Storage Disorders Lab, Department of Neuroscience, Centre for the Cellular Basis of Behaviour and MRC Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, The James Black Centre, The Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, 125 Coldharbour Lane, London, SE5 9NU (e-mail: j.cooper@iop.kcl.ac.uk)

The closing date for applications is 31 October 2008 with candidates being interviewed in early November 2008.

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Anita Tienhaara

Institute of Biotechnology

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tel +358-9-191 59656

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email anita.tienhaara@helsinki.fi