Identification of novel proteomic signatures in childhood dementia disorders: understanding of disease mechanisms to identify new therapeutic targets for drug development

Project description: Childhood dementias are a group of neurological conditions characterised by global neurocognitive decline, progressive loss of skills and behavioural changes. With an estimated incidence of 1 in 2800 births, yet only <5% of the conditions having disease modifying therapies, the impact is profound for patients and their families and there is a high level of unmet need and shortened life expectancy.

Given the wide-ranging group of individually rare and ultra-rare conditions that cause childhood dementia, and the heterogeneity of phenotypes, investigating the biological effect of therapies is essential to accelerate the development of effective treatments and optimal care. While the basis of these conditions is unique, their clinical expression and progression share common pathogenic processes.

This project involves a collective and collaborative approach (Biomarkers to trEAT Child Dementia (BEAT CD) study) to investigate shared and specific biological markers of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration across multiple childhood dementia disorders. This comprehensive biomarker panel will be used for improving diagnosis and identifying shared pathways and targets for therapeutic development. The results of this project will be used to evaluate the biological effect of current and emerging therapies, to ultimately offer a personalised model of care for children with dementia.

The PhD project will involve:

• Reviewing existing evidence of protein biomarkers in childhood dementia disorders
• Consent and recruiting participants in a clinical set up, managing patient biological specimens and medical information.
• Carrying out untargeted and targeted proteomic approaches
• Developing bioinformatic pipelines, phenomics data integration and biostatistical analyses of proteomic data. 

Description:

A full-time PhD scholarship is available for a suitably qualified candidate with a minimum of an honours or master’s degree, or equivalent research training. The research will be conducted under the supervision of Dr Arlene D’Silva (neuroscientist) and Professor Michelle Farrar (paediatric neurologist).

This PhD is linked to a larger program of Childhood Dementia Research, funded through an MRFF NHMRC grant. 

The PhD position is available to both domestic and international applicants with expectation of the scholar to be based in NSW.

This is an opportunity to be involved in innovative research and work with a motivated team of neurologists and scientists in state-of-the-art laboratories.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• An Honours or master’s degree in a laboratory-based area of research (e.g. biomedical sciences, medicine).
• Knowledge or interest in the health impacts of rare neurological disorders on children and families.
• An interest in pursuing a career in neurosciences, biomedical research, clinical and translational research.
• Training in quantitative data collection and analysis (desirable but not essential),
• Experience writing ethics applications and preparation of manuscripts (desirable but not essential).
• Demonstrated knowledge in molecular biology associated experimentation. (desirable but not necessary)
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work empathically with children affected by rare conditions and their families.
• The ability to meet deadlines and work in a self-directed manner.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Experience working with software such as SPSS, Endnote.

Scholarship: 

$37,684 per annum (indexed) for 3.5 years

How to Apply

Express your interest in this project by emailing Dr Arlene D'Silva