Research Neuropathology Fellowship at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM-CNR) c/o Sapienza University of Rome

One research fellowship application will be opened in late December at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IBPM-CNR) to work on a PRIN project entitled “Cell imaging-based approaches to identify non-invasive biomarkers in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP)”, under the supervision of Dr Cinzia Rinaldo.

HSP is a neurodegenerative disease, characterized by retrograde degeneration of the longest motor neurons in the corticospinal tract. The most common type of HSP is due to dominant mutations in the SPG4 gene, encoding spastin, a microtubule severing enzyme, that controls axonal transport and intracellular trafficking. The knowledge about the underlying molecular mechanisms of SPG4- HSP is progressively growing and the future for innovative clinical trial design is encouraging. In particular, SPG4 therapeutics urgently require easily accessible prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Recently, spastin-elevating treatments emerged as promising therapeutic approaches and our group is currently developing spastin-elevating drugs. This research fellowship will be focused on the validation of spastin-elevating drugs and spastin recovery biomarkers.

The research fellowship is a “Post-doctoral assegno di ricerca” for 12 months, which can be extended for at least other 6 months (students whose final PhD thesis exam is set for the first months of 2024 may apply).

The candidates should have proven cell biology and imaging experience, excellent communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills with highest ethical standards.

Why join us?

-IBPM is one of the top National Institutes of the CNR Department of Biomedical Sciences, very active to investigate molecular mechanism underlying pathologies and develop therapeutic strategies. IBPM laboratories are located within the Sapienza University and, as such, benefit from shared access to facilities and infrastructures, offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to a stimulant research organization with a very collegial and family friendly working environment.

-RINALDO lab is involved by several years on HSP studies and is a group leader for innovative strategies for this neurodegenerative disease, funded by telethon AFM-telethon and Euro-HSP patient association.

 
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Interested candidates should send a detailed CV including the email contact of at least 1 referee for recommendation letter to cinzia.rinaldo@uniroma.it at IBPMCNR Via degli Apuli,4 00185 Roma