Research Assistant: Neurometabolism in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Term: Semester
Type: Research
Major discipline: Biology, Biomedicine / Biotechnology, Neuroscience
Related discipline: Pre-Medicine / Health Science, Chemistry / Biochemistry
Available: Fall, Spring
Location: Copenhagen
Credits: 6

Introduction to the topic:

Blanca Aldana’s laboratory (NeuroMet) focuses on the study of brain energy and neurotransmitter metabolism and its impact on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia. Presently, the investigations in NeuroMet take advantage of diverse brain-derived preparations including cell cultures of neurons and astrocytes, brain slices, cutting-edge, cell-based model systems such as hiPSC-brain cells and brain organoids, and high-output biochemical methodologies for dynamic metabolic mapping and for investigating bioenergetic.

Project details:

In spite of the evident relevance of microglia metabolism for brain function and disease, microglia metabolic functions remain largely unexplored, possibly due to the lack of suitable models as well as methodological constraints until recently. Aiming at filling this knowledge gap, in this project we set out for a thorough characterization of metabolic pathways focused on energy and amino acid metabolism using stable heavy isotopes and mass spectrometry in primary cultures of mouse microglia.

We will further investigate how microglia metabolism shifts under inflammatory conditions stimulated with lipopolysaccharides. We propose that by increasing mitochondrial function and inducing a metabolic switch through metabolic interventions, the microglial inflammatory profile can be reversed to an anti-inflammatory profile that could be potentially protective in the inflamed brain.

You will spend 180 hours directly engaged in research, together with 20 hours in co-curricular activities, during your RAship.

Selected relevant publications:

Andersen, J. V., Westi, E. W., Neal, E. S., Aldana, B. I., & Borges, K. (2023). β-Hydroxybutyrate and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids are Metabolized by Different Cell Types in Mouse Cerebral Cortex Slices. Neurochemical Research, 48(1), 54–61.
Duwe, L., Munoz-Garrido, P., Lewinska, M., Lafuente-Barquero, J., Satriano, L., Høgdall, D., Taranta, A., Nielsen, B. S., Ghazal, A., Matter, M. S., Banales, J. M., Aldana, B. I., Gao, Y. T., Marquardt, J. U., Roberts, L. R., Oliveira, R. C., Koshiol, J., O’Rourke, C. J., & Andersen, J. B. (2023). MicroRNA-27a-3p targets FoxO signalling to induce tumour-like phenotypes in bile duct cells. Journal of Hepatology, 78(2), 364–375.

Prerequisites

One year each of biology and chemistry at university level. Laboratory experience at university level is recommended.

Additional application required

You must submit an additional application through the Online Registration portal.

All application materials must be submitted on the following dates by midnight in your time zone:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your application through Student Registration.

Faculty

Blanca Aldana

Faculty

Ph.D. (Sciences with a specialization in Neurochemistry, Biomedicine Research Institute, UNAM, 2013). Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Department of Pharmacobiology, CINVESTAV, 2014, and at the NeuroMetabolism Research Group, Helle Waagepetersen Lab, University of Copenhagen, 2014-2018. Co-Head of the NeuroMet Group, 2018. Assistant Professor at the Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2019-present. Scientific member of the Metabolism and Inflammation Research Cluster.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic:

Project details:

Prerequisites

Additional application required

Faculty

Blanca Aldana

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant courses?