Molecular pathology and cell biology of neurodegeneration and malignancy

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Project objective

The Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, invites applications for post-graduate fellowships (6-12 months) for research training in the molecular pathology and cell biology of neurodegeneration and malignancy. The Research Department consists of 5 research groups sharing important infrastructure and equipment. Collaborative programs combining the specific expertises of the different groups are strongly encouraged. The Department is also part of the Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology. Candidates should have a background in molecular genetics, developmental genetics or cell biology. The group for Glycobiology and Developmental Genetics is studying the role of cell surface proteoglycans of the syndecan and glypican families in signal transduction in (neuronal) development. These molecules are the major source of heparan sulfate at the cell surface, bind ligands (FGFs, Wnts, HGF, VEGF, ...) to the cell surface and enhance their interaction with signaling receptors. Heparanases, add an important dimension of regulation to theses systems. The working hypothesis and research strategy of the Neuronal Cell Biology group supposes a common pathogenic pathway in all the forms of Alzheimer disease: the abnormal proteolysis of APP. Projects aims at the understanding of the function of APP, the presenilins, the secretases and at the identification of additional proteins operating in this network. Two groups address the molecular oncology of solid tumors, leukemias and lymphomas. By discovering consistent tumor-specific lesions of the HMGIC,HMGI(Y), LPP, PLAG1, ETV6, API2 and MLT genes and various modes of implication of these genes in the tumoral process, the department established connections with basic signaling pathways. Emphasis is on normal and aberrant cell biology of the different genes. A core facility for transgenesis supports the development of animal models within this framework.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

• FLANDERS INTERUNIVERSITY INSTITUTE FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY VZW · ZWIJNAARDECoordinatorBelgium

Links

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