From brain vasculature to microglia: elucidating the interactions within the brain and with the body which control the trajectory of neurodegenerative disorders.
Studies are increasingly highlighting the important role of immune, vascular and metabolic factors in the development of neurodegenerative diseases but the interplay between these components in disease progression is poorly understood. The UK DRI at Edinburgh broadens out the traditional view of neurodegenerative disease as a disorder of misfolded proteins to encompass the multicellular environment surrounding degenerating neurons.
The research team lead by Professor Giles Hardingham examines the complex interactions between cells of the brain, immune system and blood vessels that make up the ‘neurogliovascular unit’. They bring together strengths in metabolism, inflammation, blood vessel biology and stem cell medicine to explore how interactions at the neurogliovascular unit control the trajectory of neurodegenerative diseases leading to dementia.
By describing interactions at the neurogliovascular unit that help to maintain cognitive function for several decades in a healthy, ageing brain, the team aim to identify biological regulators that can inform the development of new therapies.
UK DRI at The University of Edinburgh is located on the BioQuarter, Edinburgh's new multidisciplinary research institute and teaching hospital with access to superb multimodal neuroimaging and clinical research facilities.
UK DRI is seeking a Research Assistant / Bioinformatician to support a range of collaborative studies across the McColl and Priller labs. You will be joining research-intensive labs investigating neuroimmune mechanisms involved in brain health, ageing, vascular and degenerative brain diseases. This is an exciting role that will be integral to our labs and involve implementing and advancing computational methods which we use routinely as part of a multi-modal approach to addressing our scientific questions. While the role will primarily support ongoing and planned studies of the labs, there will be scope for professional development, and intellectual contributions to research design and analysis will be highly valued. You will hold a minimum of BSc or equivalent qualification and/or experience in bioinformatics, or a related computational discipline.You will have experience in bioinformatics and statistical analysis of large -omics datasets, excellent computer and programming skills (e.g. R, Python) and ability to develop and implement computational solutions using coding best practices, good knowledge of bioinformatics tools and methods used in genomics/transcriptomics research and ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team and under own initiative. Ref: 10059, Closing date: 10 April 2024
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