- Department/Institute:
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)
- Subject area:
- Proteomics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry
- Name of supervisor:
- Prof. Dr. Christian Behrends
- Number of open position:
- 1
- Project title:
- Systematic and mechanistic dissection of secretory autophagy
- Project time:
- Full Docotoral Study-Model: 48 months
- Language requirements:
- Proficiency in English
- Academic requirements:
- Master degree in Biological Sciences (i.e. Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology or similiar).
Applications must have excellent technical skills, an enthusiasm for using and developing new techniques and the interpersonal ability to work within a diverse team of scientists.
Experience with mouse experiments is preferred.
Project description:
Classically viewed as a lysosomal degradation process, emerging evidence implicates autophagy in secretion, including unconventional secretion of proteins lacking signal peptides, extracellular vesicle production, and conventional secretion of inflammatory cytokines. These processes, collectively termed secretory autophagy, broaden our fundamental understanding of the autophagy pathway in non-cell autonomous control of cell fate decisions and tissue microenvironments. Despite a proposed role of LC3/GABARAP, our understanding of secretory autophagy - in particular in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) - remains rudimentary. This project will combine highly complementary proteomics and imaging methods to decipher the repertoire of proteins secreted via autophagy, dissect the underlying mechanisms of autophagy-dependent secretion and decode the functional importance of secretory autophagy in microglia. The student will employ (i) proximity labeling of secreted proteins (cargo) in autophagy proficient and deficient cells, (ii) CRISPR screening for regulators of the secretory autophagy, (iii) biochemistry and cell biology to validate new secretory autophagy components and (iv) experiments in AD-relevant mouse models of Abeta pathology to determine the pathophysiological relevance of validated components. The results from our efforts will provide valuable insights into the function and regulation of secretory autophagy and might be exploited for designing new therapeutic intervention strategies for AD.
To applicants: Please send following initial application documents to LMU-CSC Office before 15th December:
- Resume and Research Motivation Letter
- Certificate of Proficiency in English, equivalent to IELTS Test Academic 6.5 (no module below 6) or TOEFL IBT 95, is required
- Two letters of recommendation directly sent from your current Supervisors/Professors to LMU-CSC Office