Ion channel regulation in models of neurodegeneration

Ion channels are important regulators of cellular physiology. There is now growing awareness that these proteins are invovled in pathological states, with relation to neurodegeneration voltage-gated potassium and voltage-gated calicum channels have been implicated. This PhD project will use a state of the art automated electrophysiological platform (PatchLiner) to examine the role of pertinent ion channels in relevant models of disease. Here we will use patient specific pluripotent stem cells to derived neurons and astrocytes to reveal a biophysical fingerpint of these cell types as they differentaited into a mature phenotype. This project will be key to validating on going researach within the neuroscience community using these models. A PhD in this clinically important area of neuroscience research will provide specialist training in neurobiology, electrophysiology and a broad training in cell biology approaches.