Prof Gareth Miles, Prof K Sillar
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
We have recently shown that the ubiquitous Na+-K+ exchange pump plays an important role in adapting motor control networks of the central nervous system in an activity-dependent and homeostatic manner. In spinal locomotor networks we have shown that the pumps provide a form of short-term memory in which previous network activity determines future network performance. Using multiple model systems (e.g. frog tadpole [1,2], mouse [3]) and a wide range of state-of-the art experimental methods (whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, calcium imaging, molecular genetics and optogenetics) we will investigate the cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying sodium pump mediated control of spinal motor networks and explore pathways for modulation of pump function. We hypothesize that pump-mediated memory is critical to prevent fatigue in central networks and serves as an important target for intrinsic modulators which promote flexibility in spinal network function in health and disease.
Funding Notes
This project is eligible for the EASTBIO Doctoral Training Partnership: http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk/
This opportunity is only open to UK nationals (or EU students who have been resident in the UK for 3+ years immediately prior to the programme start date) due to restrictions imposed by the funding body.
Apply by 5.00 pm on 5 December 2016 following the instructions on how to apply at: http://www.eastscotbiodtp.ac.uk/how-apply-0
Informal enquiries to the primary supervisor are very strongly encouraged.
References
1. Zhang, H-Y. & Sillar, K. T. (2012) Short-term memory of motor network performance via activity-dependent potentiation of Na+/K+ pump function. Current Biology 22, 526-531 (2012).
2. Zhang, H-Y. Picton, L., Li, W-C & Sillar, K. T. (2015) Mechanisms underlying the activity dependent regulation of locomotor network performance by the Na+ pump. Scientific Reports (In press).
3. Picton, L. Sillar, K.T. Miles G.B. (2015) The role of the sodium pump in mouse spinal locomotor network activity. Program No. 420.02. Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Chicago, IL: Society for Neuroscience, 2015. Online.
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