Probing presynaptic regulators of dopamine to identify new opportunities for therapy in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative condition caused by the death of neurones in the brain that release the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is essential for regulating motor function, and thus the loss of dopamine as a result of these neurones dying manifests as motor dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease. This typically presents with tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia in patients. However, current therapies for restoring dopamine release from these neurones are limited, both in terms of their efficacy and the side-effects produced. My research will aim to identify novel mechanisms of enhancing dopamine release from these neurones, which may then have the potential for clinical translation into new therapies.

This studentship will provide me with the opportunity to develop various skills. Firstly, I will learn new practical techniques that will be crucial to my future research, such as fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (allowing real-time detection of dopamine levels in tissue) and electrophysiology. I will also develop my skills as a scientist, to assimilate the existing research in the scientific literature to formulate my own hypotheses, and then design the experiments (in collaboration with my supervisors) to test them.
As an iCASE student with an industrial partner and supervisors, I will develop my understanding of the collaboration that takes place between academia and industry. I will also have the opportunity to exploit their insight into potential research targets for treating Parkinson's disease, in addition to learning new techniques in their facilities.