Additional recruitment to the Doctoral School of Natural Sciences  beyond the limit of places

Project description:    

 The aim of this project is to elucidate the molecular pathomechanism of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, related to the mutation in the Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) gene. Using cells derived from patients with ALS-linked mutation in FUS gene (called ALS-FUS cells hereafter), the question will be addressed whether increased level of LINE-1 retrotransposon might be a direct mechanism triggering neurodegeneration in ALS. 

Previously, disturbances related to upregulation of retrotransposons have been observed in model cell lines SH-SY5Y with FUS impairment: with knockout of the FUS gene (FUS KO) or with introduced ALS-linked point mutation, R495X. Along with that decreased level of PIWIL1 protein was observed which in turn might be associated with abnormally processed PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) that are involved in regulation of retrotransposon genes expression. Retrotransposons are a source of DNA damage in neurodegeneration and can activate neuroinflammation. Data described above prompted us to ask some essential questions like: 

• Can ALS-related FUS mutations activate LINE-1 retrotransposon? 

• Whether the regulation of PIWIL1 by FUS is affected in ALS and what are the consequences of that? 

• Is FUS involved in the processing of piRNAs along with PIWI proteins, and can ALS-related mutations result in abnormal processing of piRNAs? 

• Does neuroinflammation occur through stimulation of innate immune receptors by upregulated retrotransposons?

In this project, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogrammed from fibroblasts derived from ALS patients with FUS P525L mutation and their isogenic control, will be used, further differentiated to several types of neural cells: neural progenitor cells, motor neurons and astrocytes. All these cell types will be an elegant model reflecting the disease phenotype since the dramatic phenotype of ALS is mostly observed in neural cells.

Currently, there is no evidence for a link between ALS-FUS mutations, retrotransposon activation, and neuroinflammation, but the available primary data suggests that such a correlation exists in neuronal cells. I am confident that answering the questions presented in this project will contribute to understanding FUS-related neurodegeneration in ALS due to retrotransposon upregulation.

Principal investigator: prof. UAM dr hab. Katarzyna Dorota Raczyńska - NCN OPUS 2023/49/B/NZ5/01976

Recruitment:

Selection Committeee       

Recruitment fee

The recruitment fee is 75 EUR.

Form of the selection procedure

Two-stage procedure.

Language of the selection procedure, including interviews:

Polish or English language. 

Required documents:

 1.        Candidates who have obtained the necessary education outside the territory of the Republic of Poland, shall additionally submit:

1)    a photocopy of a document which confirms their education, certified to be a true copy of the original document, i.e. a diploma with a supplement confirming completion of first cycle studies (Bachelor degree) and a diploma with a supplement confirming completion of second cycle studies (Master degree, MSc, MA) in the original language and in a certified translation into English or into Polish,

            2)    a photocopy of their passport. 

 Evaluation criteria

 1)    the grade awarded for the diploma of the second cycle studies or single cycle five year master’s studies - maximum 10 points; in the case of candidates who seek admission on the basis of superior academic achievements ("Pearls of Science") - 10 points;

 2)    evaluation of the candidate's scientific activity and scientific achievements; the candidate indicates for evaluation up to three documented scientific achievements, in accordance with the achievement criteria adopted by the selection committee for a given discipline - maximum 15 points;

 3)    evaluation of the candidate's other documented activity, based on a maximum of three achievements consistent with the achievement criteria adopted by the selection committee for a given discipline - maximum 5 points

 4)    the result of the interview, with the scope of the interview including:

 a)    the candidate's knowledge and competencies relevant to the planned research and appropriate to the indicated scientific discipline,

 b)    elements of research methodology appropriate for the discipline indicated.

 No more than 50 points can be awarded for the interview; the maximum duration of the interview is 30 minutes.

 5)    evaluation of the research project prepared and submitted for assessment to the selection committee (maximum 20 points), with particular emphasis on:

 a)    the ability to formulate the research objective and present the research problem;

 b)    research idea and the ability to propose a solution;

 c)    methodology appropriate to the discipline indicated;

          d)    knowledge of the state of research with a basic bibliography. 

Condition of admission to the Doctoral School 

Education Program

Education at the doctoral school lasts 8 semesters. Education at the Doctoral School  is offered on the basis of a framework curriculum and an individual research plan and ends with the submission of a doctoral dissertation.

The framework curriculum at the doctoral school includes a catalogue of modules of compulsory classes, elective compulsory classes and optional classes. It also:

1)    defines their schedule

2)    defines the way in which the classes are taught

3)    defines how learning outcomes are verified.

Education begins on 1st October, 2024.

Supervisors

A doctoral student works under the supervision of a supervisor or supervisors, or a supervisor and auxiliary supervisor, who will be appointed by the Deputy Rector at the request of a doctoral student (within 3 months of the start of his or her studies at the Doctoral School).

Scholarships

The scholarship is PLN 5,000 (gross-gross)  for the first two years and PLN 6259 (gross-gross) for the next two years.