Job ID: 98035

Postdoctoral position in photoreceptor transplantation in advanced models of retinal degeneration

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 31 December 2022

Employment Start Date: 1 March 2023

Contract Length: 3 years

City: Newcasgtle

Country: United Kingdom

Institution: Newcastle University

Department:

Description:

We are seeking a motivated Research fellow to join our group of investigators (Lako, Armstrong, Sernagor) at Bioscience Institute (Newcastle University) to develop a gene-agnostic proof-of-concept photoreceptor transplantation approach that could benefit both USH2A and Retinitis Pigmentosa patients. The research fellow will generate “universal” pluripotent stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, differentiate those to photoreceptor precursors and test their ability to engraft in a mouse model of advanced retinal degeneration using a combination of subretinal injection, FISH and immunofluorescence assays of transplanted retinas, and electrophysiological and behavioural tests.

This Retina UK funded work follows from our recent work on characterisation and transplantation of CRX-photoreceptors in rd1 mice (PMID: 30681766) and measuring their light responses (PMID: 33657251).

A scientific background on pluripotent stem cell culture and differentiation to retinal organoids and retinal biology will be essential and applicants with record of accomplishment and expertise in gene editing in pluripotent stem cells and retinal organoids are preferred. Importantly experience of animal handling, subretinal injections, immunofluorescence analyses of mouse retinas and multielectrode array (MEA) recordings are highly desirable for this post.

The post-holder will work under the direction of all three investigators from 1^st of March 2023 fulltime for 3 years on a fixed term contract.

For Informal enquiries please contact Professor Linda Lako (majlinda.lako@ncl.ac.uk), Prof. Lyle Armstrong (lyle.armstrong@ncl.ac.uk) and Prof. Evelyne Sernagor (evelyne.sernagor@ncl.ac.uk).