Transcellular Propagation of Tauopathies

About the project

About the Project Summary Many neurodegenerative diseases are characterised by the occurrence of fibrillar tau aggregates inside cells of the brain. Mounting evidence supports a model of prion-like spread in which ‘seeds’ of fibrillar tau transit between cells, templating further aggregation. Of note, it is now clear that different tauopathies are characterised by specific ‘folds’ of tau, with accumulation in disease-specific cell types. For example tauopathy in Alzheimer’s disease resides mainly in neurons whereas there is marked astrocytic accumulation in progressive supranuclear palsy. Importantly, there remains little understanding of how the different folds differ in their ability to get taken up into cells of the brain. Project Aims This project will use innovative techniques, including tau cytosolic entry assays, seeding assays to investigate how specific tau assemblies gain access to iPSC derived human CNS cells. Evidence of biological differences could help explain why certain tau folds accumulate in specific cell types and provide critical insight to disease progression. Likely techniques will include cell culture, biophysics, CRISPR editing, light microscopy, electron microscopy. How to Apply; If you are interested in this project, please go to the University pages and apply via the online portal; PhD https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcnpdpcn/apply Research MPhil https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcnmpmds/apply

Research areas