Optogenetic control of chronic epilepsy, using brain-machine interfaces. (Neuroscience)

Epilepsy is common, and while many people with the condition are helped by anti-epileptic medication, around a third continue to experience many seizures. With these difficult “medically-refractory” cases, new technologies may yet help; one such approach is the use of optogenetic techniques and brain-machine-interfaces to control neuronal activity. This project builds upon the CANDO project (www.cando.ac.uk), which aimed to combine gene therapy and optoelectronic implants to control seizure activity using optogenetics. We were able to control cortical network activity using light, but there are still many important questions to answer, such as which opsin and what form of feedback control to use for different types of epilepsy, and how is this affected by the sleep-wake cycle.

This studentship will provide training in a range of rodent in vitro and in vivo models of seizure activity, and will also study activity patterns in human brain tissue resected for treatment of intractable epilepsy. Overall, this is a novel and exciting project that will provide an excellent opportunity for the student to develop a range of technical and computational skills, as well as knowledge about the causes and treatment of epilepsy.

How to Apply:

Applications should be made by emailing [Email Address Removed] with:

• a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees);
• A covering letter – clearly stating your first-choice project, and optionally 2nd and 3rd ranked projects, as well as including whatever additional information you feel is pertinent to your application; you may wish to indicate, for example, why you are particularly interested in the selected project(s);
• copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates;
• a copy of your passport (photo page).

A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE AT http://www.cando.ac.uk/eruk-phd/ . Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.

In addition to the above items, please email a completed copy of the Application Form (as a Word document) to [Email Address Removed]  A blank copy of this form can be found at: http://www.cando.ac.uk/eruk-phd/

Informal enquiries may be made to [Email Address Removed]. The closing date for applications is 31st March 2022 at 5.00pm (UK time).