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Transcriptomic investigation in human iPSC-derived neural stem cells and forebrain cortical neurons from ADHD patients
Our lab is looking for a highly motivated Master student (6-12 months), who is interested to conduct a research in the field of disease modeling using ADHD patient-specific cells. The process will involve learning how to analyze preexisting data from single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) generated from neural stem cells (NSCs) and forebrain cortical neurons (FCNs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), by using bioinformatics. These cell lines were previously generated in our lab and are derived from patients with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We will investigate the transcriptome profile of both NSCs and FCNs, which will include analyzing the Wnt signaling pathway. This pathway plays a crucial role in coordinating important cellular events during neurodevelopment. Moreover, the student will learn how to scientifically interpret and discuss scientific papers and conduct research with independence and critical thinking.
Keywords: ADHD, transcriptomics, single cell RNA sequencing, bioinformatics, data analysis, Wnt signaling, iPSCs, NSCs, Forebrain Cortical Neurons.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental behavioral disorders. It consists of a multifactorial disorder, in which genetics play an important role in etiology, as well as environmental factors. The Wnt signaling (involved in neurodevelopment and cognitive processes) has been described as one of the pathways involved in ADHD. The use of iPSCs has been a powerful tool to the research of neuropsychiatric disorders, as animal models cannot fully recapitulate clinical conditions and the polygenic profile of human patients and neuroimaging studies cannot investigate molecular mechanisms of living functional cells from a human Central Nervous System. Our group has been investigating proteomic differences in terms of Wnt signaling, as well as differences in NSC proliferation. In this project, you would be able to conduct data analysis on complex scRNAseq data from NSCs and FCNs. We believe that these results will help elucidate our previous findings and shed light into differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and additional pathways that might be potentially involved in ADHD.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental behavioral disorders. It consists of a multifactorial disorder, in which genetics play an important role in etiology, as well as environmental factors. The Wnt signaling (involved in neurodevelopment and cognitive processes) has been described as one of the pathways involved in ADHD. The use of iPSCs has been a powerful tool to the research of neuropsychiatric disorders, as animal models cannot fully recapitulate clinical conditions and the polygenic profile of human patients and neuroimaging studies cannot investigate molecular mechanisms of living functional cells from a human Central Nervous System. Our group has been investigating proteomic differences in terms of Wnt signaling, as well as differences in NSC proliferation. In this project, you would be able to conduct data analysis on complex scRNAseq data from NSCs and FCNs. We believe that these results will help elucidate our previous findings and shed light into differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and additional pathways that might be potentially involved in ADHD.
The goal of this project is to investigate whether differences in global and Wnt-related gene expression at a single cell level exist in both ADHD and control NSCs and FCNs.
You learn
• Data analysis involving the investigation of DEGs and possibly altered cellular pathways, graph plotting and statistical analysis using R
• Gain knowhow on neurodevelopmental mental disorders, in particularly ADHD
• How to conduct literature research
• Critical thinking and independence on conduct their own project
• How to effectively work in a team
The goal of this project is to investigate whether differences in global and Wnt-related gene expression at a single cell level exist in both ADHD and control NSCs and FCNs. You learn • Data analysis involving the investigation of DEGs and possibly altered cellular pathways, graph plotting and statistical analysis using R • Gain knowhow on neurodevelopmental mental disorders, in particularly ADHD • How to conduct literature research • Critical thinking and independence on conduct their own project • How to effectively work in a team
The applicant should submit a CV, bachelor and master transcripts, including grades, and a motivation letter. Any laboratory knowledge and experience should be listed.
Prior proficiency in the R programming language. Possessing knowledge in additional programming languages is regarded as advantageous.
The applicant should submit a CV, bachelor and master transcripts, including grades, and a motivation letter. Any laboratory knowledge and experience should be listed. Prior proficiency in the R programming language. Possessing knowledge in additional programming languages is regarded as advantageous.