Dementia is the biggest health challenge of our century. To date there is no way to prevent it or even slow its progression, and there is an urgent need to fill the knowledge gap in our basic understanding of the diseases that cause it. The UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) is the biggest UK initiative driving forward research to fill this gap. UCL’s strength in combining excellent clinical and basic neuroscience research to advance our understanding of neurodegeneration and identify novel targets and therapeutic approaches for dementia resulted in its selection as the hub of the UK DRI. Research at the UK DRI at UCL?covers the journey from the person living with dementia to the laboratory and back again - with improved diagnosis and potential therapies put to the test. The groups believe in intervening earlier in disease in order to change the trajectory.
The Bartels lab at the UK DRI at UCL is specialized and fills the gap for scientific research on synuclein multimers and lipidomics associated with PD in close collaboration with the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and the Queen Square Brain Bank. The Bartels laboratory is dedicated to understanding the biochemical nature of α-synuclein in healthy and diseased patients. Dr Tim Bartels first discovered disease resistant forms of the α-synuclein protein and their destabilization in Parkinson’s Disease. His lab is interested in identifying the different factors that destabilize α-synuclein and that lead to neurotoxicity.
The Bartels lab at the UK DRI at UCL is seeking a Research Fellow. The research project will involve developing antibodies against specific species of α-Synuclein, a protein involved in neurodegeneration, and develop an ELISA or Quanterix detection assay to detect α-Synuclein in different human biofluids (blood, CSF) and establish a fluid biomarker for Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. The project will be conducted in collaboration with the Zetterberg lab at the UK DRI at UCL and Rimona Weil at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Queen Square London. This is a unique opportunity to work in a vibrant research environment and at the cutting edge of disease-related neuroscience within the UK DRI at UCL and UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, as well as through collaboration with external laboratories and industry.
Applicants should have a PhD, MD or equivalent experience in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related discipline. Experience of working in quantitative biological analytics (ELISA, Quanterix) and with antibody development and verification is essential.
IT proficiency at advanced user level, the ability to present complex scientific concepts, and an understanding of the mission of the UK DRI is also a requirement, as is the ability to be a creative and proactive thinker. Experience with handling human samples, with biomarker development, and of working with Biophysics/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology/Histology assays is desirable.
