Emergence of synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.

A fully funded PhD studentship in Applied Neuroscience is available to work with Dr. Mariana Vargas-Caballero and Prof. Hugh Perry at the University of Southampton.

Although our understanding of Alzheimer's disease has greatly increased in the last few decades, there is currently still no effective therapy that can modify disease progression. Our current knowledge suggests that this disease initially impacts on synapse integrity in the brain: the mechanisms, however, are not well understood. You will use a combination of behavioural and electrophysiological experiments to link the emergence of memory impairment with synaptic function and dysfunction in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

The University of Southampton provides an outstanding environment for research on dementia. The interdisciplinary programme of research is integrated across the disciplines of biology and medicine including laboratories with clinical and non-clinical expertise. The Institute for Life Sciences represents a University-wide multidisciplinary collaboration drawing together expertise in science and engineering, with a shared goal to apply novel discoveries to the outstanding challenges of science.

Candidates must have, or expect to gain, a first or strong upper second-class degree or equivalent, in an appropriate discipline.