Neuroscience, AMPA receptors,synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, optogenetics

AMPA receptors (AMPAR) are ionotropic glutamate receptors, they mediate fast synaptic transmission in the brain and are known to be crucially involved in learning and memory. Dysfunction of AMPARs, on the other hand, is linked to various diseases including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Enhancing cognitive capabilities by means of pharmacologically enhancing AMPAR function seems to be an attractive opportunity to improve memory dysfunction in patients suffering from dementia (e.g. Lynch et al., 2014). Selective AMPAR positive allosteric modulators, also known as AMPAkines, do not activate AMPARs directly, but they change their biophysical properties by, e.g., slowing the rate of receptor desensitization in the presence of an agonist such as glutamate. Importantly, AMPAkines have been shown to facilitate synaptic plasticity, a model of learning and memory (Stäubli et al, 1994; Arai and Lynch, 1998). Preclinical trials in humans, however, had only limited success (for review see Goff DC, 2015). The causes of clinical trial failures are often unclear and require additional basic research to fully understand the mechanisms by which pharmacological compounds operate in naïve tissue. In the present study we will investigate the role of AMPAkines in various types of neurons.

The successful applicant will join a recently established research team with interests in studying synaptic transmission and plasticity utilising cutting edge techniques such as optogenetics and electrophysiology.

A successful applicant has an excellent degree in neuroscience, biology, biophysics or a thematically associated field and shows enthusiasm for performing basic research in cellular neurobiology.

Hands-on experience in electrophysiology would be beneficial.

Please send your application (cover letter detailing the motivation for the proposed project, CV, certificates and the names/addresses of two referees) in one combined pdf-document per email to: Christian Wozny (christian.wozny@strath.ac.uk).

In vitro electrophysiology, pharmacology, immunohistochemistry, neuronal reconstructions, optogenetics.

×          Arai A, Lynch G. Brain Res. 1998 Jul 20; 799(2): 235-42.

×          Goff DC. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2015 May; 28(3): 207-15

×          Lynch G, Cox CD, Gall CM. Front Syst Neurosci. 2014 May 20; 8: 90.

×          Penn AC, Balik A, Wozny C, Cais O, Greger IH. Neuron. 2012 Nov 8; 76(3): 503-10.

×          Wozny C, Breustedt J, Wolk F, Varoqueaux F, Boretius S, Zivkovic AR, Neeb A, Frahm J, Schmitz D, Brose N, Ivanovic A. J Cell Sci. 2009 Mar 1; 122(Pt 5): 735-44.

×          Stäubli U, Perez Y, Xu FB, Rogers G, Ingvar M, Stone-Elander S, Lynch G. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1994 Nov 8; 91(23): 11158-62.