Recently,
a transgenic sheep model of the late onset neurodegenerative
Huntingtons Disease (HD) has been generated by researchers from
University of Auckland in collaboration with the South Australian
Research Development Institute in Adelaide. This large animal model
represents an exciting opportunity to understand the early changes in
the brain that lead to HD. Whilst the founder animals are outwardly
healthy at 3 years old, preliminary analyses of a small number of
younger animals indicate early relevant HD changes are occurring
within the brain. Sufficient animals expressing the transgene will
soon exist for a more detailed analysis to be undertaken in an effort
to understand the mechanism of early Huntingtons disease in these
sheep.
A variety of approaches will be employed, including but not
limited to: brain pathology analysis, gene expression studies,
protein analysis and identification of disease biomarkers peripheral
to the brain. We invite applications from students interested in this
project.
Applications sought from those able to commence study in 2010. This work will be within the Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland.
Please send CV and transcript and direct queries to Suzanne Reid s.reid@auckland.ac.nz
Supervisors will include Professors Richard Faull and Russell Snell, and Drs Henry Waldvogel and Suzanne Reid.
