Dear biochemistry student,
Are you interested in mass spectrometry, post-translational modifications and/or tissue injury?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects about 1% of the population and, despite significant advances in the treatment, the disease results in severe joint damage in some patients. RA is a complex autoimmune disease with unresolved etiology. About 70 % of RA patients develop antibodies binding to citrullinated proteins (ACPA). These antibodies may appear years before clinical onset of the disease and have been associated with more severe radiological progression of the joint damage. Smoking is the only environmental factor connected to the development of RA and a risk factor for development of ACPA. One of the intriguing questions is the origin and role of ACPA and citrullination in RA. Citrullinated proteins can activate cellular responses through Toll-like receptors (TLRs). This study sheds light to the role of citrullination in tissue injury and healing.
We have a pro gradu project at the Medical Faculty, Research Unit of Translational Medicine (Anatomy and Cell Biology) under the supervision of Sanna Palosaari (MSc biochemistry, PhD clinical chemistry) and Dr Ulrich Bergmann (Biocenter Oulu, Proteomics and protein analysis Core) . The preferred candidate has a background in biochemistry or chemistry with biology interest. Project can be started flexibly but preferably latest in May. If you have not already finished your 3-6-week orientation to research work, it can be combined in the beginning of the project.
The project involves setting-up a mass spectrometry analysis method for citrullinated proteins from cell culture and tissue samples. Citrullination is a post-translational modification catalyzed by peptidyl arginine deiminases (PADs). Citrullination is involved both in physiological processes and in tissue injury. The current project aims at analyzing citrullination from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients' samples.
If you feel this might be something for you, please contact Sanna Palosaari (sanna.palosaari@oulu.fimailto:sanna.palosaari@oulu.fi) for more information.
Ystävällisin terveisin - Kind regards
Sanna Palosaari FT, Yliopisto-opettaja | PhD, University teacher Oulun yliopisto | University of Oulu Translationaalisen lääketieteen tutkimusyksikkö | Translational Medicine Research Unit sanna.palosaari@oulu.fimailto:sanna.palosaari@oulu.fi Tel. +358 294 485434 PO Box 5000, FI-90014 OULUN YLIOPISTO FINLAND www.oulu.fihttp://www.oulu.fi/yliopisto
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