Tauopathies are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by intracellular deposition of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Tau physiologically regulates the stability and dynamics of the microtubule network as well as important neuronal functions. Under pathological conditions, tau becomes hyperphosphorylated, leading to reduced microtubule binding and its aggregation into cytotoxic neurofibrillary tangles. The most prominent members of the tauopathies are Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. To date, no effective therapy is available that can stop or reverse the progression of these diseases.

We recently validated the serotonin receptor 7 as a novel target in tauopathies and identified drugs that efficiently block the activity of the receptor. The aim of this Master’s thesis is now to validate the therapeutic potential of these drugs in preclinical models of tauopathies.

Your Tasks:

• Investigation of Tau pathology in different cellular models (cell lines, primary neuronal cultures from mice, human iPSC-derived neurons)
• Biochemical analysis of brain tissues of treated mice
• RNA isolation and quantitative Real-time PCR from tissues of treated mice
• Immunohistocytochemistry and confocal microscopy of brain slices

Background required:

• Studies in natural or life science such as biochemistry, biology, biomedicine or neuroscience
• Expertise in Western blots, immunocytochemistry and microscopy

Your application:

• short 1-page CV
• Copy of BSc certificate
• Copy of high school certificate
• Transcript of Records

Please apply via email to:

labus.josephine@mh-hannover.de