​UK DRI at UCL

• Specialisms at UCL
• Mechanistic understanding of dysfunction in cells and neural systems
• Gene expression and biological pathways in single cells related to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease
• New biomarkers to monitor disease progression
• Deficits in axonal transport in early neurodegeneration
• Wnt signalling in synapses to discover new targets for future dementia therapies

• Read more about UCL

  Research from UK DRI at UCL will cover the journey from the patient to the laboratory and back to the patient with improved diagnosis, biomarkers and candidate therapies to put to the test. Led by Professor Bart de Strooper, UK DRI Director, the team will address the key unanswered mechanistic questions that link genetic and lifecourse factors to dysfunction in molecular pathways, in cells and in neural systems during the progression of the dementias. This work will be enhanced by clinical resource to link lab work to the clinic.

  UK DRI at UCL will examine changes in gene expression and biological pathways in single cells to get a detailed picture of the changes happening during the initiation and development of Alzheimer’s disease. The UCL team will also develop new biomarkers to monitor disease progression. Programmes of work will look specifically at deficits in axonal transport as a very early step in neurodegeneration and at the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in the maintenance and function of synapses to see whether it is a promising target for future dementia therapies.

  Location: UK DRI at UCL will initially be located in a refurbished space within the Cruciform building, within UCL’s Bloomsbury campus. This location is near to Alzheimer's Research UK's UCL Drug Discovery Institute, the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Cellular Biology, the MRC Prion Unit, the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, and genetic facilities. 

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• Postdoctoral Research Fellow (x2) in Bioinformatics, UK DRI at UCL - De Strooper Lab

  UK DRI Director, Prof Bart De Strooper, is looking for two highly motivated and ambitious single cell bioinformatics post doctoral fellows to join the UK DRI lab at UCL. The project will focus on understanding early cellular changes happening during the onset of Alzheimer's disease using techniques such as single cell transcriptomics. It will form an integral part of a larger initiative to work towards a complete spatial and temporal cellular atlas of Alzheimer's disease.This is an excellent opportunity to work on high impact, state of the art projects in a stimulating and social international research environment, undertaking world-class science under the guidance of a leader in Alzheimer’s biology. The posts are available immediately and are funded by the UK DRI for 5 years in the first instance. Closing date: 6th May.

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• Principal Staff Scientist, UK DRI at UCL - De Strooper Lab

  In this unique post, UK DRI Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Bart De Strooper, is looking for a first-rate scientist to help him build, manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of his new UK DRI group at UCL. This is a major science position, perhaps well-suited to an experienced and successful post-doctoral researcher or junior faculty scientist, with extensive understanding of neurodegeneration, who relishes the chance to work closely with an accomplished academic investigator and be directly involved in top-flight science. Closing date: 5th May.

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• Research Fellow in Alzheimer's Disease, UK DRI at UCL - Busche Lab

  The Busche lab (buschelab.com), at the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, is looking for a highly self-motivated individual to combine in vivo electrophysiology and imaging with behavioural studies in models of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. The planned research projects are targeted to elucidate the cellular mechanisms that underlie memory and other cognitive impairments in these disorders. The post holder will perform in vivo electrophysiology and/or multiphoton imaging in behaving mice, process and analyse the electrophysiological and imaging datasets; evaluate and communicate results, publish results in peer reviewed journals and present findings at scientific conferences.

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• Research Technician in Dementia, UK DRI at UCL - Frigerio Lab

  The Single Cell Genomics laboratory at the UK DRI will investigate the molecular and cellular basis of fundamental brain functions that are affected in dementing illnesses (e.g. the formation, encoding and recall of memory), charting the yet uncharacterised cellular changes that support healthy ageing and those which lead to pathology. We are now looking for a Research Technician who will be in charge of preparing samples from human and rodent brain tissue, prepare single cell DNA and RNA libraries, perform in situ RNA hybridization, and image tissue sections. The successful applicant will work on lab-lead projects and will take part in several collaborative projects. The successful candidate will have Honours degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent in Neuroscience, Biology or a related discipline. Applicants must have a substantial laboratory experience, particularly in molecular biology techniques (e.g. PCR) and biochemistry (e.g. RNA and DNA isolation), in microscopy (e.g. imaging of fluorescently labelled histology sections). Analytical skills to resolve problems that require the use of basic scientific, mathematical, or technical principles and proficiency with computer programs (e.g. Office package) are essentials. Good inter-personal skills with an ability to work co-operatively in a multidisciplinary setting are also required. Previous lab experience with rodents (e.g. maintaining a mouse colony, preparation of sections for histology) and knowledge of neuroscience are desirable.

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• Director of Innovation and Business at UK DRI HQ

  We're seeking a Director of Innovation and Business to join the UK DRI as a senior member of the HQ at UCL. The role will oversee all aspects of our innovation and technology transfer (TT) activities in order to support our growing research community. They will be responsible for establishing our TT policies and procedures, managing our TT activities, educating our research community on TT potential and negotiating and managing licences and other partnerships. In addition to generally building a valuable TT, the Director will grow an intellectual property portfolio across our seven centres in order to fully exploit discoveries emerging from our world-class research activities.

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