Register now After registration you will be able to apply for this opportunity online.
This opportunity is not published. No applications will be accepted.
Proteomic investigation of BDNF and Wnt-Signalling after Methylphenidate and/or Omega-3 treatment in human iPSC-derived neural stem cells from ADHD patients
Our lab is looking for a highly motivated Master student (6-12 months), who is interested to conduct a research in the field of disease modeling using ADHD patient-specific cells. The process will involve learning how to generate and culture human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and generation of neural stem cells (NSCs) from patients with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as how to scientifically interpret and discuss scientific papers and conduct research with independence and critical thinking.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental behavioral disorders. It consists of a multifactorial disorder, in which genetics play an important role in etiology, as well as environmental factors. One of the treatments of choice for ADHD is the pharmacological treatment with Methylphenidate (commercially known as Ritalin). This drug seems to ameliorate the structural and functional brain maturational delays that are commonly found in ADHD patients. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this process are still not fully elucidated. At the same time, ca. 30% of patients do not respond well to MPH treatment. For these cases, a non-pharmacological treatment or a combined one could be of interest. Omega-3 fatty acids (n3-PUFA) demonstrate beneficial effects during healthy brain development, while deficiencies have been associated to ADHD. Therefore, the supplementation of n3-PUFA is recognized as a potential treatment approach in ADHD; however, it’s functional effect remains elusive. BDNF and Wnt signaling (involved in neurodevelopment and cognitive processes) have been described to be relevant in ADHD. The use of iPSCs has been a powerful tool to the research of neuropsychiatric disorders, as animal models cannot fully recapitulate clinical conditions and the polygenic profile of human patients and neuroimaging studies cannot investigate molecular mechanisms of living functional cells from a human Central Nervous System. In this project, you would be able to perform Homogeneous Time Resolved Fluorescence (HTRF) assays to investigate BDNF levels and ELISAs for the determination of Wnt antagonist DKK1 levels in iPSC-derived NSCs after the treatment with MPH or Omega-3 in different concentrations. Additionally, Western Blots from MPH and n3-PUFA treated NSCs might be conducted to investigate the expression of key Wnt-related proteins.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental behavioral disorders. It consists of a multifactorial disorder, in which genetics play an important role in etiology, as well as environmental factors. One of the treatments of choice for ADHD is the pharmacological treatment with Methylphenidate (commercially known as Ritalin). This drug seems to ameliorate the structural and functional brain maturational delays that are commonly found in ADHD patients. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this process are still not fully elucidated. At the same time, ca. 30% of patients do not respond well to MPH treatment. For these cases, a non-pharmacological treatment or a combined one could be of interest. Omega-3 fatty acids (n3-PUFA) demonstrate beneficial effects during healthy brain development, while deficiencies have been associated to ADHD. Therefore, the supplementation of n3-PUFA is recognized as a potential treatment approach in ADHD; however, it’s functional effect remains elusive. BDNF and Wnt signaling (involved in neurodevelopment and cognitive processes) have been described to be relevant in ADHD. The use of iPSCs has been a powerful tool to the research of neuropsychiatric disorders, as animal models cannot fully recapitulate clinical conditions and the polygenic profile of human patients and neuroimaging studies cannot investigate molecular mechanisms of living functional cells from a human Central Nervous System. In this project, you would be able to perform Homogeneous Time Resolved Fluorescence (HTRF) assays to investigate BDNF levels and ELISAs for the determination of Wnt antagonist DKK1 levels in iPSC-derived NSCs after the treatment with MPH or Omega-3 in different concentrations. Additionally, Western Blots from MPH and n3-PUFA treated NSCs might be conducted to investigate the expression of key Wnt-related proteins.
The goal of this project is to investigate whether pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments (Methylphenidate and n3-PUFA, respectively) are able to modulate BDNF, Wnt antagonist DKK1 and Wnt related Protein in ADHD and control NSCs.
The goal of this project is to investigate whether pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments (Methylphenidate and n3-PUFA, respectively) are able to modulate BDNF, Wnt antagonist DKK1 and Wnt related Protein in ADHD and control NSCs.
Requirements:
The student must be registered as a master student in an acknowledged University during the period of the project. The master thesis project will be as part of the requirements of their master degree.
Previous experience in mammalian cell culture and/or basic molecular biology methods would be desired, but not strictly necessary.
You learn
• Generation and culture techniques of iPSCs and NSCs
• Quality control techniques, such as: immunocytochemistry, mycoplasma testing, DNA/RNA extraction, RT-qPCR
• BDNF HTRF assay
• DKK1 ELISA
• Western blot
• Data analysis
• Critical thinking and independence on conduct their own project
• How to effectively work in a team
Prof. Edna Grünblatt; Translational Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (KJPP), Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (PUK); edna.gruenblatt@kjpd.uzh.ch; https://www.kjpd.uzh.ch/de/translationale-molekularpsychiatrie.html
Requirements: The student must be registered as a master student in an acknowledged University during the period of the project. The master thesis project will be as part of the requirements of their master degree. Previous experience in mammalian cell culture and/or basic molecular biology methods would be desired, but not strictly necessary. You learn • Generation and culture techniques of iPSCs and NSCs • Quality control techniques, such as: immunocytochemistry, mycoplasma testing, DNA/RNA extraction, RT-qPCR • BDNF HTRF assay • DKK1 ELISA • Western blot • Data analysis • Critical thinking and independence on conduct their own project • How to effectively work in a team
Prof. Edna Grünblatt; Translational Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (KJPP), Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (PUK); edna.gruenblatt@kjpd.uzh.ch; https://www.kjpd.uzh.ch/de/translationale-molekularpsychiatrie.html