Positions

Our lab studies how niches and stem cells form during organogenesis and how they function to maintain adult homeostasis. We use the Drosophila ovary, which contains germ line stem cells (GSCs) and somatic niche cells as a model system. We recently found that ecdysone signaling, through activation of the Broad complex, controls the development of both niches and GSCs; Gancz et al., PLoS Biology, 2011. We are currently looking for direct targets of Borad, which control both GSC and niche development. Those who are interested in joining the hunt are welcomed to apply.

Recent studies of ours reveal unexpected mechanisms underlying brain pathologies, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). We study the pathways and molecular mechanisms for microRNAs (miRNAs) mal-function in the pathogenesis of ALS. Therefore, understanding how the miRNA network normally works in the healthy motor neurons and the consequences of its collapse, holds a great potential for our ability to decipher the etiopathology of ALS, to provide new markers and to consider novel curative means. miRNAs are essential for the motor neuron function and survival and comprehensive characterization of miRNA networks will be able to explain mechanisms of neurodegeneration. We wish to globally characterize the changes in miRNA processing in ALS models and to further consider new disease markers based on mature and precursor miRNA expression.

One typical feature of the developing mammalian brain is that many neurons are born in sites remote from their final destination and place of action. Neurons migrate to their adult position using different cellular mechanisms. Neuronal migration is affected in many types of diseases such as brain malformations, epilepsy, Schizophrenia and autism.

One typical feature of the developing mammalian brain is that many neurons are born in sites remote from their final destination and place of action. Neurons migrate to their adult position using different cellular mechanisms. Neuronal migration is affected in many types of diseases such as brain malformations, epilepsy, Schizophrenia and autism.

Regressive events during development are essential for sculpting the mature nervous system. Pruning of exuberant neuronal connections is one such mechanism utilized to refine neural circuits during the development of both vertebrate and invertebrate nervous systems. Mechanisms used for developmental pruning of axons and dendrites can also be used for structural plasticity of adult neurons in response to either learning or injuries of the nervous system. Indeed, axon pruning shares some molecular and mechanistic similarities with axon degeneration after nerve injury. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate axon pruning should provide a more general insight regarding axon fragmentation during development and disease. Developmental axon pruning of mushroom body (MB) γ neurons in Drosophila takes place during metamorphosis by local degeneration. Due to its highly timed and stereotypic occurrence, and the awesome genetic power of the fly it is an appealing model system to study the molecular mechanisms of axon pruning. Studying how glia-neuron interaction affects different developmental processes was, until recently, difficult, mostly because the inability to manipulate and visualize both cell types at the same time in an intact animal. New, cutting edge genetic techniques now enable manipulation of different glial subpopulations while visualizing single neurons at the same time. This project will utilize these new tools to screen for secreted or transmembrane proteins that are important in glia for normal neuronal remodeling. We are looking for an outstanding and enthusiastic PhD candidates.