Pro-Gradu Student Position, Oulu
A position is available immediately for a Pro-Gradu Student in the Myelin Group (Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Biomedicine Unit, on the campus of the Oulu University Medical Faculty).
Background
The research activity of the Myelin Group focuses on the events leading up to, and contributing to, the formation of the myelin sheath in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). One of the principal models that we employ for our research allows us to study the biochemistry and cell biology of myelin synthesis in culture. This model was originally developed for use with rat cells and proved to be inadequate for mice. Since there are numerous mouse myelin mutants essential to our research (and very few rat mutants), we have developed a new myelinating coculture method that can be applied to mouse cells (Honkanen et al. 2007; Päiväläinen et al. 2008). Although the method works well for cells isolated from out-bred mouse strains, cells from in-bred mouse strains (among which most mutants are found) behave differently.
The project
The project to be undertaken by the Pro-Gradu student involves the study of factors influencing the proliferation of Schwann cells isolated from an in-bred mouse strain (C57BL6) and aims to determine the optimal conditions required to stimulate their growth in culture.
The project will benefit from the strong experience of the other Myelin Group members in the development and exploitation of methods for the isolation and growth of Schwann cells (from mice and rats) and in the use of the (mouse and rat) myelinating coculture model.
Requirements
In addition to fulfilling the normal criteria for undertaking a Pro-Gradu research project, the successful candidate will be a Biochemist or a Biologist with practical experience in cell culture (e.g. Cell Culture Optional Study, M.Sc. level), as well as a working proficiency in English (perfection is not necessary).
Research Group
In addition to the Group Leader (Doc. Anthony Heape), the Myelin Group currently includes 3 postgraduate researchers and has strong national and international collaborative relationships with a number of other groups.
More information about our group and its research activities can be found on the web site of the Myelin Group: http://cc.oulu.fi/~aheape/MyelinGroup.html
Contact
Anthony M. HEAPE
E-mail: Anthony.Heape@oulu.fi
Tel (office): 08 -537 5197 Cell phone: 050-433 2892
The Myelin Group Biomedicine Unit
Dept. of Anatomy and Cell Biology P.O. Box 5000 (Aapistie 7) 90014 University of Oulu
Web: http://cc.oulu.fi/~aheape/MyelinGroup.html http://cc.oulu.fi/~aheape/MMDC_home.html