New targets for therapy in Batten disease (neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis) PhD Studentship
To start: 1st February 2016
Award
EU Horizon 2020 grant award (BATCure)
Project
The neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs, or Batten disease) are a group of fatal inherited neurodegenerative diseases. Collectively they are the most common cause of childhood dementia. At present no effective therapies are available for any form of NCL, but advances continue to be made in testing experimental therapies.
These approaches will be most effective if they are targeted to parts of the body that most severely affected. Until recently all our efforts have focused upon the forebrain, but we have recently discovered that the brain stem and spinal cord are unexpectedly also severely affected in the infantile forms of NCL. The effects of the disease also appear to extend outside the brain, with the peripheral nervous system and heart also involved.
We have preliminary data that suggests these structures are also involved in other forms of Batten disease, and this project will involve characterizing these events in more detail using both histological and molecular methods. This work will performed using mouse models of NCL, and correlate these findings with data from patients.
We will determine a) the onset and progression of neuron loss and inflammatory changes within the spinal cord; b) the nature and extent of pathology within the peripheral nervous system; and c) the onset and progression of pathological changes within the heart.
This project will provide us with important new information for understanding how these diseases affect both the brain and body, and for the targeting of therapies to where they can be most effective.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a 2:1 or 1st class honours degree in a subject relevant to the proposed project. If applicants already possess a research-based MSc degree, a merit or distinction level is required.
Award type and eligibility
This three-year project including all associated running costs, and a student stipend in line with that paid by UK Research Councils. This studentship is available for either for UK or EU nationals, subject to eligibility requirements.
How to apply
Applicants must complete and submit an online admissions application, via the admissions portal by midnight (23:59 GMT), Thursday 10th December 2015.
On the ‘Choose a programme’ page, select ‘Research degrees’ from the 'Programme Type' list and type 'Neuroscience' in the keyword search. Select 'Neuroscience Research MPhil/ PhD (full-time)' from the list below.
In your application, you will be asked to include:
- Academic Transcripts – where applicable, academic transcripts must be submitted with the online admissions application
- Details of your qualifications (you will need to attach copies)
- Details of previous employment
- A personal statement describing your interests and why you wish to apply for this project. Please include this as an attachment rather than using the text box.
- Academic References – all admissions applications require two supporting references. If the applicant is relying on his/her referees to submit references directly to the College after he/she has submitted his/her admissions application, then the applicant must ensure that their chosen referees are made aware of the funding deadline.
In the Funding section, please tick box 5 and include the following reference: JDC-EUH2020-15
Please note there is no need to complete the Research Proposal section in your application as the project has already been set.
You are welcome to email Prof Jon Cooper (supervisor) for more information regarding the project and studentship, or for informal inquiries.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Postgraduate Research Administrator.
References must be received by the deadline for the applicant to be eligible.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Closing Date: Thursday 10th December 2015
Interviews: Wednesday 16th December 2015 (TBC)
Further Information
Further information on research in the Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience can be found on the Departmental website. Further details about Batten Disease and research in the Pediatric Storage Disorders Laboratory can be found on the PSDL website with informal inquiries about the studentship welcome via (jon.cooper@kcl.ac.uk).