Research focus on novel ER located growth factors MANF and CDNF.

One fully funded PhD student position is available under supervision of Prof. Mart Saarma and Dr. Maria Lindahl at the Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki. Further information about the research group and the research topic can be found at http://www.biocenter.helsinki.fi/bi/saarma/ .

We study the structure, biology and therapeutic potential of novel ER located neurotrophic factors CDNF that we have discovered and related protein MANF. We use highly integrative approaches to study MANF and CDNF functions at the molecular, neuronal, and behavioral levels. We have recently developed MANF and CDNF deficient mice and we are now focusing on the role of MANF and CDNF in the development and maintenance of the nervous system.

Aims of the proposed projects include:

1) Characterizing midbrain dopamine system in MANF-conditional knockout mice

2) Analysis of the midbrain dopamine system in CDNF-MANF double knockout mice

3) Dissecting the role of MANF in cerebellum 

Applicant should possess a strong understanding in basic principles of neuroscience. Additional desirable qualities include basic mouse knockout technologies, methods in culturing cells and primary neurons and various biochemical and immunological assays or at least willingness to acquire them. Additionally the PhD student will learn behavioral assays, mouse models of Parkinson´s disease, quantification of the number of neurons and measurement of dopamine metabolites. Interested candidates should send their 1-3 page letter of interest, CV and 2 letters of recommendation to Dr. Maria Lindahl (maria.lindahl@helsinki.fi ).

Important publications by the group concerning the topic:

Lindholm, P., and Saarma, M. (2010). Novel CDNF/MANF family of neurotrophic factors. Dev Neurobiol 70, 360-371.

Lindholm, P., Voutilainen, M.H., Lauren, J., Peranen, J., Leppanen, V.M., Andressoo, J.O., Lindahl, M., Janhunen, S., Kalkkinen, N., Timmusk, T., et al. (2007). Novel neurotrophic factor CDNF protects and rescues midbrain dopamine neurons in vivo. Nature 448, 73-77.

Lindahl, M., Danilova, T., Palm, E., Lindholm, P., Võikar, V., Hakonen, E., Ustinov, J., Andressoo, J.-O., Harvey, B. K., Otonkoski, T., Rossi, J. and Saarma, M. (2014). MANF is indispensable for the proliferation and survival of pancreatic -cells. Cell Rep. 7, 366-375.