A junior / senior post-doc position is available in Dr. Benfenati’s group at the Italian Institute of Technology, Neuroscience and Brain Technologies Department (IIT-NBT, Genova, Italy).
The project will study the molecular mechanisms of synaptic transmission, by focusing on the following topics:
(i) presynaptic mechanisms of plasticity. Large amount of data are available on post-synaptic mechanisms of plasticity, such as post-synaptic receptor activation and Ca2+-driven mechanisms. It is now understood that presynaptic changes, such as activity- or Ca2+-dependent modifications of release machinery can influence synaptic efficacy, but a detailed knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying presynaptic plasticity is still lacking. The main aim of the project is the investigation of synaptic plasticity by challenging synaptic transmission under physiological or pathological conditions.
(ii) optogenetic modulation of transcription. The possibility to manipulate signaling using optogenetic technologies has opened new ways of intervention on cellular function, allowing a precise temporal and spatial control of biochemical cascades. We have engineered recombinant proteins able to modulate mammalian gene transcription, by employing the LOV2 domain of Avena sativa (AsLOV2), a photo-sensitive protein that undergoes light-dependent reversible conformational changes. The project aims at using our probes in primary neuronal cultures to control neuronal activity by modulating transcription.
Both lines of research will be conducted in primary neuronal cultures as well as in genetic models of neuropathologies such as epilepsy or autism. The successful candidate should have an in-depth experience in standard electrophysiology techniques in primary neuronal cultures and/or in brain slices. Some experience in optogenetics will be an advantage.
Closing date for applications is November 30th, 2013. The contract should start on February 1st, 2014.
Contract length: up to 4 years.
CVs and motivation letters should be sent to:
Fabio Benfenati, fabio.benfenati@iit.it
Fabrizia Cesca, fabrizia.cesca@iit.it
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