Jobs

Ph.D. Student for a Project About Retinal ASS and Tau Pathology in AD

Posted 22 Dec 2020

Employer

SuQin Venema, Laboratory of Neuropathology

Location

Leuven, Belgium

Principal Investigator

Dietmar Thal

Contact

https://www.kuleuven.be/personeel/jobsite/jobs/56124416?hl=en&lang=en

Description

The lab wants to determine the prevalence and topographical pattern of Aβ and p-τ pathology in the retina of elderly individuals and AD patients using immunohistochemistry.
Immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis will clarify whether APPxτ-transgenic mice will have more p-τ and /or Aβ pathology than the respective single transgenic mice. The lab wants to test whether Aβ and p-τ seeds injected into the subretinal zone induce or accelerate Aβ or p-τ pathology in the brain regions to which the optic nerve projects.
 
Responsibilities  
  • The successful candidate will do animal experiments with transgenic mice (eye injections).
  • The successful candidate will do Immunohistochemical and imunofluorescence stainings and analysis of human and mouse eyes samples. 
  • The successful candidate will pathologically analyze mouse and human eyes.
  • The successful candidate will supervise lab rotation students and master students.
  • International exchange in the course of the project is considered.
  • The successful candidate will report your data to your supervisors, other researchers, as well at (international) conferences.
 
The offer includes
  • Financing for four years (financed by Stichting Alzheimer Onderzoek (three years).
  • Promotion of PhD-thesis to be written within the four years.
  • Participation in an individually shaped Ph.D. Program.
  • Presentation of valuable findings at international conferences.

Requirements

The candidate should be experienced in the following techniques:
Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence
  • Microscopy
  • Sample preparation for biochemical analysis
  • SDS-PAGE
  • Western blot analysis
  • PCR analysis
  • Working with lab animals
 
What we are looking for:
  • Candidates should have a Master's degree according to EU standards.
  • Candidates should meet the English language criteria of KU Leuven.
  • Candidates should have FELASA B certificate for carrying out animal experiments (if not we expect that you follow the FELASA B course within the first three months).
  • Candidates should be willing to work with patient tissue and conduct animal experiments.
  • Highly motivated, enthusiastic, critical and creative.
  • The ability to work in a team.
  • Willingness to participate in an international exchange program for one year of the Ph.D.