Identification of novel microglia-derived therapeutic targets for remyelination

A prime example of regeneration in the central nervous system (CNS) is remyelination, whereby the insulation surrounding axons (myelin) is regenerated following damage, allowing recovery of proper functioning of nerves. Remyelination is limited in several neurological disorders causing movement and sensation deficits, including following perinatal brain injury leading to the development of cerebral palsy and in progressive multiple sclerosis, together affecting over 17 million people worldwide. Given that there are no approved therapies to drive remyelination, identifying the cellular and molecular drivers of remyelination is key in the development of novel therapeutics.

Microglia are resident CNS immune which we have shown to be important regulators of whether remyelination can occur. Our recent work has shown that anti-inflammatory microglia release factors that stimulate stem-cell-like cells, called oligodendrocyte progenitors, to become the myelin-producing cells of the CNS, in part via release of a growth factor called activin-A. However, other factors are likely contributors to the regenerative properties of anti-inflammatory microglia.

The focus of this 3 year PhD project, funded by the MS Society and based at The Queen’s Medical Research Institute in the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, is to identify these additional pro-regenerative factors derived from microglia, in order to elucidate novel therapeutic strategies to promote remyelination. Candidate factors identified from gene expression analyses will be screened for regenerative potential in ex vivo and in vivo models of myelin injury, and inform analyses of human pathological brain tissue. This project involves the use of cell culture, advanced automated imaging, high throughput signalling assays, immunofluorescence, in vivo lesioning, and human brain analysis. Overall, this project will make great strides in identifying novel therapeutic targets and strategies to promote remyelination in multiple disease contexts.

The Little France Campus
The MRC Centre for Reproductive Health (CRH) is located on the ground floor of the Queen’s Medical Research Institute on the University of Edinburgh’s Medical Campus at Little France. The MRC CRH enjoys close collaborative links with the other Centres on the Little France Campus including the MRC Centre for Inflammation Research (MRCCIR); the British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Science (BHFCVS), the Clinical Research Imaging Centre (CRIC) and the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM). The campus has a thriving postgraduate community.

www.ed.ac.uk/centre-reproductive-health

Applicants are expected to have a good honours degree in the sciences (biological, chemical or physical), at least UK level of 2.1 or the equivalent from non-UK universities. A Master’s degree in a relevant subject would be an advantage. The supervisor will hope to appoint a suitable candidate for a January 2017 start.

Interested?
Please submit an enquiry in the first instance to ADMISSIONS ENQUIRIES, including a CV using the Email Now webform below in order to receive further details.

Deadline 10 October 2016.