Prion infection, cholesterol metabolism and endo-lysosomal trafficking - MSc/PhD student opportunity

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders of humans and animals, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy or chronic wasting disease. Prions are proteinaceous infectious particles that replicate by converting the endogenously expressed PrPC into a misfolded aggregation prone and protease resistant isoform called PrPSc. PrPSc accumulates in the brains of infected individuals which eventually results in neurodegeneration.
The overarching goal of our research is to study the trafficking of prion proteins and the impact of prion infection on neuronal metabolism in order to identify novel targets to treat prion diseases. In particular, we are investigating the impact of prion infection on cholesterol metabolism and the consequences of increased membrane cholesterol levels on vesicle trafficking in neurons. We are using prion infected neuronal cell lines as well as primary cells and mouse models of prion infection for our studies. Methods to be used include confocal imaging, density gradient centrifugation, western blotting, immunohistochemistry and others.

Required qualifications are a background in cell biology, neuroscience, infectious diseases, or biochemistry and a profound and demonstrated interest in neurodegenerative/protein misfolding diseases, ideally previous experience with confocal microscopy, protein analysis and cell culture models. We are looking for an individual who is able to work independently and as part of a team. We offer the opportunity to apply for scholarships, attend national/international conferences and get experience in undergraduate supervision.
The city of Calgary offers many recreational amenities from sports to cultural events. It is located closely to the Rocky Mountains and Banff National Park, providing a unique variety of hiking trails and skiing areas.


For more information, see http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=gilch+s and visit our lab website www.ucalgary.ca/gilchlab .
If you are interested in joining an ambitious research team please send your application including a
- statement of research interests and why you want to join my group,
- up to date transcripts,
- contact information for three references
- CV

to:

Sabine Gilch, PhD
Canada Research Chair in Prion Disease Research
Assistant Professor
[Email Address Removed]
Dept. of Ecosystem and Public Health
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
http://vet.ucalgary.ca/

Only complete application packages will be evaluated!