Gene therapy of neurodegenerative diseases using lentiviral vector technology

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Project objective

Five predoctoral positions, for 6 months up to one year, are available to perform research as part of a doctoral thesis in the Gene Therapy Centre of the KULeuven, Belgium. This Centre aims at developing gene therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases and consists of three inter -related research groups, focusing respectively on vectorology, neurosurgery and neurobiology. For neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's Disease gene therapy may become the future treatment of choice. The efficient and long term expression of transgenes in mouse and rodent brain following stereotactic injection of HIV - 1 derived lentiviral vectors provides opportunities for the study of the role of various proteins in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In our laboratories HIV-1 derived vectors encoding various genes, are produced on a weekly base. After transduction of the cell line of interest, the cell biology of the gene product can be investigated. Highly concentrated vectors are injected in mouse or rat brain via stereotactic neurosurgery. Gene expression is analyzed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation. The doctoral students will be trained in construction and production of HIV - 1 derived vector. Previous experience with recombinant DNA technology is recommended. Biosafety training will be provided. Research involving laboratory animals is conforming bioethical and GLP regulations. Stereotactic neurosurgery will be taught as well as skills for gene expression analysis. After an initial training period where the student is enrolled in ongoing projects under the supervision of experienced technical research staff, the doctoral student will be allowed to construct and inject his/her own vector and analyze gene expression in cell culture and in rodent brain. Students are advised to participate in the doctoral training program (seminars, lectures, gene therapy course) of our Medical School.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

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