PhD-Discovery of novel mitochondrial and organelle biology underlying Parkinson’s disease
PhD @University of Dundee posted 4 days agoJob Description
- Funding – self-funded/externally sponsored applicants (PhD Fees can be found here)
- Applications are accepted year round
- Standard Entry dates – January and September
- Applicants are expected to have a degree (equivalent of Honours or Masters) in a relevant discipline.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a movement disorder that is now the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world. Despite much research the disease is incurable and there are no treatments that can slow the disease down. The discovery of genetic mutations in rare familial forms has transformed our understanding of the origins of PD but the function of these genes is poorly understood. Mutations in PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) cause autosomal recessive PD. PINK1 is unique amongst all protein kinases due to the presence of a mitochondrial targeting domain that localises it to mitochondria.
Our lab has made a number of groundbreaking discoveries and uncovered mechanisms that explain how PINK1 and Parkin activation lead to the removal of damaged mitochondria by mitophagy. Recent work identified the mechanism by which PINK1 is activated at the mitochondrial TOM complex (Raimi, Ojha et al., Science Advances 2024). Excitingly based on this research there are now Phase I trials for PD patients using molecules that boost PINK1-dependent mitophagy.
However, there remain many outstanding questions on the regulation of PINK1 and its downstream biology that may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to tackle PD. These include the molecular mechanism by which PINK1 senses mitochondrial damage; the role of other PINK1 substrates including Rab GTPases; how PINK1 mutations impacts other organelles including lysosomes and endosomes; the roles of the PINK1 pathway in the brain; and identification of regulators and PINK1-independent mechanisms that may compensate for loss of PINK1 in cells.
Our lab uses a multidisciplinary approach to address these questions and the successful student will gain exposure and training in many state-of-the-art methods including mass spectrometry / proteomic technologies; CRISPR/Cas9 technologies; cutting edge methods to isolate organelles, and tissue culture using human iPSC-derived neurons or mice-based analysis. The lab also collaborates with many labs around the world and is actively involved in public engagement.
In addition to training and development opportunities within the MRC Protein Phosphorylation & Ubiquitylation Unit and Dundee , the Muqit lab is a member of the EMBO Young Investigator Network (https://people.embo.org/profile/miratul-muqit) and students have opportunities to attend EMBO PhD courses and workshops. The lab is also part of the innovative global Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) initiative that also enables students to experience cutting edge development opportunities.
Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.
How to apply
Please contact the principal project supervisor to discuss your interest further, see supervisor details below.
For general enquiries, contact SLS-PhDAdmin@dundee.ac.uk
