Susan Chalmers

Current PhD studentship (funded for UK or EU students; covering full tuition fees and a tax free stipend for 3 years), deadline 30 May 2018. Application via CV plus cover letter to s.chalmers@strath.ac.uk or imminently via FindAPhD.com

Alzheimer’s-associated amyloid or diabetic-like hyperglycaemia each impede mitochondrial motility, potentially altering neuronal synaptic function due to changes such as localised ATP supply or calcium buffering. Does the combination of hyperglycaemia and amyloid thus pre-dispose neurons to dysfunction and degeneration?

Objectives:

1.  investigate whether exposure of primary neuronal cultures to amyloid plus hyperglycaemia (glucose oscillations) additively affect mitochondrial motility
2. quantify the effect of aberrant mitochondrial motility on neuronal function, particularly synaptic activity
3. examine whether neuroprotection is afforded by modulation of mitochondria

Project Area: Neuroscience; Fluorescence Microscopy; Alzheimer’s Disease; Mitochondrial Physiology; Calcium Signalling

Techniques to be used:

• high-resolution live-cell fluorescence imaging of dynamic organelle and cell architecture
• primary neuronal cell culture
• electrophysiology and calcium imaging

I am a Chancellors Research Fellow, examining the role of mitochondria in neurodegeneration and age-associated decline of the cerebrovasculature.

My primary research interest is in mitochondria, with a particular focus on the involvement of these small organelles with calcium signalling processes and the changes associated with age and diseases. I use high-speed and timelapse fluorescence imaging to visualise and modulate mitochondria and calcium signals within live cells and tissue.