About the Project
Trauma to the brain, spinal cord and eye, whilst presenting diverse clinical challenges and management approaches, by and large shares common mechanisms, epidemiology and several pathophysiological aspects, including inflammation. The Neurotrauma research area encompasses laboratory scientists, clinicians and biotechnologists who share expertise, knowledge and solutions. This area carries out translational research to address the challenges of military and civilian trauma, and to underpin clinical studies at the NIHR SRMRC in Birmingham or at national and international collaborating institutions.
Within this group are researchers working on neurodegeneration, which encompasses a large group of diseases associated with specific pathology and neuronal death in different parts of the nervous system. This team works on a wide range of topics relating to acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Current research programmes seek to illuminate the dysregulated molecular and cellular processes that occur in neural tissue after neurotrauma, including traumatic brain, spinal cord and ocular injuries, and to develop novel neuroreparative therapies that aid functional restoration of damaged tissues. They also work on the genetics and cellular pathologies of chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Glaucoma. Based on our understanding of the cellular pathology associated with these diseases, including inflammation, they aim to develop early disease biomarkers and novel therapeutic interventions.
Person Specification
Applicants should have a strong background in neuroscience, and ideally a background in biochemistry. They should have a commitment to research in neurotrauma and hold or realistically expect to obtain at least an Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject.
How to apply
Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof Ann Logan: [Email Address Removed]
To apply, please send the following to Prof Ann Logan [Email Address Removed]:
• A detailed CV, including your nationality and country of birth;
• Names and addresses of two referees;
• A covering letter highlighting your research experience/capabilities;
• Copies of your degree certificates with transcripts;
• Evidence of your proficiency in the English language, if applicable.
References
Di Pietro V, Ragusa M, Davies D, Su Z, Hazeldine J, Lazzarino G, Hill LJ, Crombie N, Foster M, Purrello M, Logan A, Belli A. MicroRNAs as Novel Biomarkers for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Mild and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma. 2017 Apr 10. doi: 10.1089/neu.2016.4857.
Mead B, Logan A, Berry M, Leadbeater W, Scheven BA. Concise Review: Dental Pulp Stem Cells: A Novel Cell Therapy for Retinal and Central Nervous System Repair. Stem Cells. 2017 Jan;35(1):61-67. doi: 10.1002/stem.2398. Epub 2016 Jun 16.
Berry M, Ahmed Z, Morgan-Warren P, Fulton D and Logan A (2016) Prospects for mTOR-mediated functional repair after central nervous system trauma. Neurobiol Dis 85:99-110. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.10.002
Blanch RJ, Ahmed Z, Thompson AR, Akpan N, Snead DR, Berry M, Troy CM, Scott RA and Logan A (2014) Caspase-9 mediates photoreceptor apoptosis after blunt ocular trauma. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 55(10):6350-7. doi: 10.1167/iovs.13-13708
Botfield H, Gonzlanez AM, Abdullah O, Skjolding A, Berry M, McAllister JP 2nd and Logan A (2013) Decorin prevents the development of juvenile communicating hydrocephalus. Brain 136(Pt 9):2842-58. doi: 10.1093/brain/awt203