→ Apply until 09/07/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels time)
→ Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
→ Department GE31 - Department of Biomolecular Medicine
→ AAP temporary appointment - 100%
→ Number of openings: 1
→ Reference number: 202405/GE31/AS/015
ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, and technical and social services on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With each of its 11 faculties and more than 100 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes that are grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its employees as well as its students.
YOUR TASKS
At least 50% of your assignment will be spent on academic research in preparation of a doctoral dissertation.
Subject of the dissertation: Combining spatial proteomics and hiPSC-derived cortical neurons to characterize RNF216-mediated neurodegeneration: an enigmatic nuclear inclusion body disorder.
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide and pose a challenge in an aging population. Well-known and common types of NDs are Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson's disease, however, many (ultra) rare types also exist. Recently, bi-allelic pathogenic variants in RNF216, encoding an E3-ubiquitin ligase, have been identified by the Dermaut lab and others as the cause of an ultra-rare neurodegenerative disease, clinically characterized by severe early-onset dementia along with movement abnormalities (ataxia/chorea) and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The Dermaut lab initiated brain autopsy in one of the two Belgian RNF216 families which confirmed the presence of neuronal intranuclear ubiquitin-positive inclusions of unknown composition and pathogenic role. This leads to the hypothesis that RNF216 loss-of-function leads to intranuclear protein inclusion formation and subsequent neurodegeneration. In line with this hypothesis, the candidate will (aim 1) identify the culprit protein(s) in the intranuclear protein aggregates by spatial proteomics in the Impens lab, (aim 2) map the interactome of wild type RNF216 and pathogenic missense variants and (aim 3) decipher pathways leading to protein aggregation and neuronal death. Most interestingly, preliminary data points towards the existence of novel RNF216-mediated PML-like nuclear bodies, of which the (dys)regulation in the context of NDs will be characterized in-depth in this project.
The Dermaut lab focuses on the study of novel causal genes, variants and pathways implicated in rare inherited adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders. The Impens lab has strong expertise in advanced functional proteome analysis by mass spectrometry and is interested in the clinical importance of protein modifications. For the current project, the candidate will combine molecular and advanced (spatial) proteomics approaches with the use of human iPSC-derived neuronal cultures. Patient fibroblasts, PBMCs, brain tissue and clinical data have been collected and are available in the Dermaut lab, while spatial low-input proteomics approaches will be setup in the Impens lab as a novel technology.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
The interview will presumably take place on Tuesday July 16, 2024.
INTERESTED?
Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not sent through the online system.
Your application must include the following documents:
Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.
As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Bart Dermaut (Bart.Dermaut@UGent.be) and Prof. Francis Impens (Francis.Impens@UGent.be).
Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via selecties@ugent.be or +32 9 264 34 36
Ghent University is one of the top 100 universities in the Dutch language area, with more than 44,000 students and 15,000 staff members.
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