
Stuart Dickens, Biomedical Sciences, Bradford
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterised by the death of specific cell types with protective factors saving other cells. The perineuronal net (PNN), is one such factor, highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target. Our data and others have shown that the PNN is protective in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, but not in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, not all diseases (i.e. frontotemporal dementia- FTD) and pathology affected brain regions have been investigated. Our lab has access to brain tissue from 4 mouse models of neurodegeneration (FTD, ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) and control mice. The student will learn and gain expertise in immunohistochemistry and western blotting techniques to investigate PNN expression across disease states. By the end of the studentship, the student will have developed the independence to plan, execute, optimise and analyse experiments and developed time management skills. The novel nature of the results are expected to form the basis of a scientific publication. Students will need to find their own accommodation and be expected to present their findings orally at a research day in York in September 2025.