Schizophrenia is a severe illness associated with long-term mental health conditions affecting one in a hundred people and nearly 220,000 people in the UK alone. Antipsychotic drugs, which can have limited efficacy and major adverse side effects, are the only treatments available. While genes increasing the risk of developing schizophrenia have been identified, their cellular impact are however not always fully understood. Uncovering the function of these risk factors is therefore crucial to formulate new hypotheses to improve the treatments of schizophrenia.
The role
The Hollville Lab, located at the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen, has recently discovered that Cullin-9, a gene whose expression is affected in schizophrenia patients, controls neuronal architecture development in the brain. This is important as neuronal morphogenesis is an essential factor governing the ability of neurons to receive and send information from and to other cells to sustain organisms’ vital functions and elaborate behaviours.
About you
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to be part of an exciting research programme funded by the Academy of Medical Sciences aiming at understanding how Cullin-9 influences neuronal morphology. In collaboration with other groups at the University of Aberdeen and Manchester, the candidate will be using cutting-edge technology (including gene editing and induced pluripotent stem cell technology) to develop innovative research tools to identify new molecules interacting with Cullin-9 and determine how Cullin-9 interacts with its signalling partners to mediate its function in neurons. In addition to improving our understanding of the mechanisms governing the integration of neurons into connected neuronal networks, the research will identify new pathways underlying the pathology of schizophrenia.
This post is available either full-time for 16 months, or part-time, 65% of full-time for 24 months. Please indicate your preference in your application.
Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Grade 5 scale, 100% or 65% of £31,396 per annum, pro rata.
Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Emilie Hollville, Lecturer (Emilie.hollville@abdn.ac.uk).
