Postdoctoral Scientist | Neurobiology | Dr Michel Goedert | LMB 2253

Job description

Overall purpose: To work in the group of Dr Michel Goedert from the Neurobiology Division of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), as part of a programme aimed at understanding Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration. Specifically, to undertake research to develop methods for forming alpha-synuclein filaments with the same structures as those from human brains, This work will be done in close collaboration with the group of Dr Sjors Scheres from the Structural Studies Division of the LMB. The assembly of alpha-synuclein into abnormal amyloid filaments is central to the development of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy. Since 2020, we have used electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) to show that specific alpha-synuclein determine the structures of alpha-synuclein filaments from human brains. We have shown that specific filament folds define these diseases. Non-proteinaceous densities of unknown composition are also present. To understand mechanisms of disease, one must be able to form filaments that have the same structures as those from human brains in vitro, in cells and in animals. This m...