SELF-FUNDING MSc BY RESEARCH PROJECT: In vivo characterisation of novel risk genes for Alzheimers disease identified by Genome Wide Association Studies at University of Bristol on FindAPhD.com

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Prof J Hodge Applications accepted all year round Self-Funded PhD Students Only

About the Project

Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have identified a number of genes that are significantly associated with the disease (van der Kant et al., 2019). We use the genetic tractability and short lifespan of Drosophila to make and characterise novel sporadic AD models based on these candidate AD risk loci. We have obtained transgenic RNAi lines for the closest Drosophila homologue for each of these ~20 candidate genes which will be screened in fruit flies for AD relevant phenotypes. Firstly, RNAi will be expressed in all neurons (using elav-GAL4) or all glia (using repo-GAL4) and the effect on lifespan measured (normally 1-2 months) using longevity assays and survival curve analysis as well as in the eye (using GMR-GAL4) to assess degeneration, all assays set up in the lab (Higham et al., 2019b; Lowe et al., 2019). Secondarily, changes in memory will be assessed with the olfactory-shock conditioning assay by expressing the RNAi in the fly’s memory neurons, the mushroom body (with OK107-Gal4) using assays routinely used in the lab to assess the effect of AD on memory (Higham et al., 2019a; Higham et al., 2019b). Thirdly, the effect of the AD risk gene knock down on circadian rhythms and sleep will be assessed by expressing the candidates in all clock neuron (with Tim-Gal4) or pan-neuronally respectively using assays routinely used in the lab to measure the effect of AD on circadian rhythms and sleep (Buhl et al., 2019).

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/phys-pharm-neuro/people-new/hodge/

School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience

Funding Notes

This MSc by Research project has no funding attached to it so the student will need to obtain funding themselves.
When applying please indicate the name of the project and supervisors; please also enter the School to which you are applying.
https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/2022/life-sciences/phd-physiology-pharmacology/

References

Buhl, E., Higham, J.P., and Hodge, J.J.L. (2019). Alzheimer's disease-associated tau alters Drosophila circadian activity, sleep and clock neuron electrophysiology. Neurobiol Dis, 104507.
Higham, J.P., Hidalgo, S., Buhl, E., and Hodge, J.J.L. (2019a). Restoration of Olfactory Memory in Drosophila Overexpressing Human Alzheimer’s Disease Associated Tau by Manipulation of L-Type Ca2+ Channels. Frontiers in cellular neuroscience 13.
Higham, J.P., Malik, B.R., Buhl, E., Dawson, J.M., Ogier, A.S., Lunnon, K., and Hodge, J.J.L. (2019b). Alzheimer’s Disease Associated Genes Ankyrin and Tau Cause Shortened Lifespan and Memory Loss in Drosophila. Frontiers in cellular neuroscience 13.
Lowe, S.A., Usowicz, M.M., and Hodge, J.J.L. (2019). Neuronal overexpression of Alzheimer's disease and Down's syndrome associated DYRK1A/minibrain gene alters motor decline, neurodegeneration and synaptic plasticity in Drosophila. Neurobiol Dis 125, 107-114.

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