ADAR2 RNA editing in CNS

The main part of the work will use Drosophila but the student will also have access to Adar2 mutant mice which model the severe epilepsy caused by ADAR2 mutations in humans. Adar2 mutant mouse pups develop seizures and die at or before weaning.
In Drosophila we found that Adar mutant phenotypes can be rescued by increased autophagy which clears synaptic defects. The new student will join Anzer Khan who is near the end of his PhD to continue studying the rescues of Adar mutant phenotypes by Hsc70-4 to understand how Adar mutant defects arise and are rescued by increased Hsc70-4.
The Adar mutant defects may be due to loss of RNA editing in specific transcripts such as synaptotagmin, synapsin and cacophony that encode key synaptic proteins. We will try to rescue Adar mutant defects by expressing edited forms of cDNAs for these specific transcripts that are available within the Drosophila community

Keywords: RNA modification, ADAR, genetics

HOW TO APPLY: Register for this call using the registration form at http://ls-phd.ceitec.cz/http-ls-phd-ceitec-cz/ and submit required documents to receive support with the preparation of the application and all formalities. Your application package will be forwarded to the supervisor for preliminary revision.
Applicants who wish to pursue a degree at the CEITEC PhD program must hold the equivalent of a Master’s degree (MSc) in similar field (four- or five-year undergraduate degree). The application can be submitted before obtaining the Master’s degree, however, the applicant should obtain the degree within five months after the application deadline.