Looking for a student for the summer 2018
22.3.2018Project: Comparison of the biodistribution of viral vectors after intracerebroventricular and hippocampal injections.
Field of study required: Biological or biomedical student
Skills needed from the student: Knowledge of general laboratory techniques and good laboratory practice, including meticulous working methods are anticipated. Motivation and desire to learn new techniques and the ability work independently. Preliminary knowledge of histology is an advantage. We offer the necessary guidance in all laboratory practices.
Duration of the project: 3-4 months (May-August 2018).
Possibility to pay grant: Yes.
Group leader: Academy professor Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
Laboratory: Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, UEF, Kuopio
(The project is part of the Erkko Consortium and it is conducted in collaboration with PhD Francesco Mattia Noé’s Neuro-Lymphatic group.)
More information and applications: Krista Hokkanen (krista.hokkanen@uef.fi) or Taina Vuorio (taina.vuorio@uef.fi)
Description of project:
Viral vectors have been utilized as efficient gene carriers in order to target and deliver therapeutical gene material into specific tissues in the body. In the brain, gene therapy has been used to treat malignant glioma, a devastating brain cancer and has also a great potential in the treatment of other brain pathologies, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Now we are looking for a motivated student in the biological or biomedical field to help with a project studying the biodistribution of several viral vectors in the brain and peripheral tissues. The viral vectors contain a marker transgene and the expression of the transgene will be followed histologically and with RT qPCR. The tasks of the student include processing, embedding, cutting and immunohistological staining of various mouse tissue samples to identify the transgene expression sites. The expression of the transgene will also be quantified with real time quantitative PCR. We offer the necessary guidance in histological techniques and laboratory practices and we expect from our student a positive and motivated learning attitude.
The Molecular Medicine research group is focused on developing new gene and protein-based approaches for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Our research goals also include development of better gene transfer vectors and the identification of new treatment genes for cardiovascular and ischemic diseases. Our group consists of around 10 postdocs, 40 PhD students, 5 laboratory technicians and several students from the fields of biological sciences and medicine. More information: https://www.uef.fi/en/web/aivi/seppo-ylaherttuala-group