The first SSFN webinar 2024 recording has now been added to the archive page: Archive

Authors:
Asheeta A. Prasad & Åsa Wallén-Mackenzie

Abstract:
The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a major neuromodulation target for the alleviation of neurological and neuropsychiatric symptoms using deep brain stimulation (DBS). STN-DBS is today applied as treatment in Parkinson´s disease, dystonia, essential tremor, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). STN-DBS also shows promise as a treatment for refractory Tourette syndrome. However, the internal organization of the STN has remained elusive and challenges researchers and clinicians: How can this small brain structure engage in the multitude of functions that renders it a key hub for therapeutic intervention of a variety of brain disorders ranging from motor to affective to cognitive? Based on recent gene expression studies of the STN, a comprehensive view of the anatomical and cellular organization, including revelations of spatio-molecular heterogeneity, is now possible to outline. In this review, we focus attention to the neurobiological architecture of the STN with specific emphasis on molecular patterns discovered within this complex brain area. Studies from human, non-human primate, and rodent brains now reveal anatomically defined distribution of specific molecular markers. Together their spatial patterns indicate a heterogeneous molecular architecture within the STN. Considering the translational capacity of targeting the STN in severe brain disorders, the addition of molecular profiling of the STN will allow for advancement in precision of clinical STN-based interventions.

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-05691-4

Authors:
M. Angela Cenci, Arvind Kumar

Abstract:
L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) is the most common form of hyperkinetic movement disorder resulting from altered information processing in the cortico-basal ganglia network. We here review recent advances clarifying the altered interplay between striatal output pathways in this movement disorder. We also review studies revealing structural and synaptic changes to the striatal microcircuitry and altered cortico-striatal activity dynamics in LID. We furthermore highlight the recent progress made in understanding the involvement of cerebellar and brain stem nuclei. These recent developments illustrate that dyskinesia research continues to provide key insights into cellular and circuit-level plasticity within the cortico-basal ganglia network and its interconnected brain regions.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959438823001587

Please ensure to pay your membership fee for 2024!

The membership fee is 400 SEK per year (150 SEK for PhD students, please send your student certificate to katharina.henriksson@igp.uu.se).
To be paid either via Swish to 070 494 2186 or via bank transfer to account: 3768 05 93 590 BIC (SWIFT-address): SE0230000000037680593590 NDEASESS

Research area: Life sciences

Application deadline: February 15, 2024 (11:59 PM)

Position start date: earliest on February 16, 2025.

Eligibility: The call addresses excellent researchers aiming to lead pioneering research projects. Candidates should have obtained one´s PhD degree within 5 years from the application deadline (i.e. not earlier than February 15^th 2019, with extensions for parental leave, sick leave, or military service). The call is reserved to applicants with experience of post-doctoral medical research in an international environment outside of Sweden, resulting in publications at a high scientific level. Candidates need not have held a position or scholarship in Sweden during the past 4 years (i.e. after February 15^th, 2020).

What we offer to the successful candidate

The holder of the position is to initiate and build one´s strong research programme in synergy with ongoing preclinical and clinical research at the Faculty. Candidates with a background in Neuroscience can become members of Lund University strategic research area on neurodegenerative diseases (MultiPark, https://www.multipark.lu.se), which will offer a vibrant scientific environment, excellent networking opportunities, and different forms of support. All candidates will moreover have access to world-class research infrastructures hosted by Lund University, such as the  Center for Translational Genomics (CTG), the Lund Bioimaging Center (LBIC) and MAX IV.

      As an associate senior lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, you will develop your qualifications over a period of 5 years and can then be promoted to permanent employment as a senior lecturer and eventually a professor. You will receive five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education and also get the opportunity to learn Swedish through the University’s Swedish language courses for new international staff. We will offer support for the move to Sweden to you and your family.

       In Sweden there is an excellence programme for international researchers, the Wallenberg Academy Fellows, funded by the country’s largest private foundation. If you become one of Lund University’s nominees for the prestigious Wallenberg Academy Fellows 2025 (WAF), you will also receive a start package from the University. The size of the start package will be negotiated along with other terms of employment and applies for your five first years as associate senior lecturer.

Read more about the Wallenberg Academy Fellows programme here.

Form of employment: Fixed-term position, 5 years, with the opportunity for promotion to permanent employment as a senior lecturer.

How to apply: Applications are to be made electronically via Lund University’s applications portal by February 15^th, 2024. Applications are to be submitted in accordance with the Faculty of Medicine’s guidelines for academic appointments, see List of qualifications for lecturers and Create a CV.

Contacts:  For further information about the position please contact:

Faculty of Medicine Vice-Dean David Gisselsson Nord, Phone +46 73 391 40,

e-mail: David.Gisselsson_Nord@med.lu.se

Information on application formalities can be obtained from Recruitment Officer Eva Nilsson, Phone + 46 46-222 17 89, e-mail: eva_a.nilsson@med.lu.se

Information about strategic research in neuroscience at the Faculty of Medicine can be obtained from: Prof. Angela Cenci Nilsson, MultiPark Coordinator, e-mail: angela.cenci_nilsson@med.lu.se

Link to to Lund University Recruitment Programme of Excellence, which this position is part of:

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university/associate-senior-lecturer-vacancies-lund-university

Applications deadline: 31^st October 2023

Promoting Flavor Research amongst PhD Students in Europe

Giract is proud to announce that, following the success of its unique and innovative programme to promote flavor research amongst PhD students in Europe across various universities and institutes, 8 industry sponsors will continue to support the programme, now in its 14th year. This consortium aims to raise awareness of the industry and career opportunities in order to increase the flavor research talent pool in Europe. The 8 sponsoring companies are:

– Ajinomoto

– Angel Yeast

– DSM-Firmenich

– Givaudan

– Kerry

– Lallemand Bio-Ingredients

– Lesaffre International

– PepsiCo

This 14th edition is organised by Giract, in coordination with Andrea Cattaruzza, Director of AndCat Ltd and Professor Emeritus Andy Taylor of the University of Nottingham, UK.

Purpose:

To promote innovative flavor research amongst PhD students across European universities and research institutes. PhD students enrolled in universities and research institutes in 35 European countries (European Union, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and UK) are eligible to apply.

The project targets two different groups of PhD students:

– Group 1: students who are about to commence their PhD studies

– Group 2: students who are about to complete their PhD and hence will soon be examining opportunities for employment

This is translated into the following sub-objectives:

– Publicise the attractions of flavor research so as to pull high calibre students into appropriate PhD courses and then into industry

For Group 1:

-Award bursaries to 6 selected students who are planning to commence their PhD studies in flavor science during the 2023/2024 academic year

-Enable the 6 winning 1st year PhD students the opportunity of visiting the laboratory of certain sponsor companies during the second year of their PhD studies, by using a part of their winning bursary amount for their travel and stay. This will enable them to obtain a first-hand view of an industry R&D centre

For Group 2:
-Solicit and evaluate innovative flavor research projects amongst these students

-Provide the Annual Savory Flavor & Food Industry Conference, held in Geneva in the spring of each year, as a platform for the winning student to present his/her work to ‘potential employers’

Application deadline is on October 31, 2023 For more information please visit: https://giract.com/flavor-research-programme.php

We are happy to share that the following members have been appointed to the council:

Karima Chergui (KI) 1 Year
Fredrik Elinder (LIU) 1 year
Per Petersson (UmU) 1 year
Jens Hjerling-Leffler (KI) 2 years
Eric Hanse (GU) 2 years
Nikolaos Venizelos (ORU) 2 years
Mia Ericson (GU) 3 years
Åsa Konradsson-Geuken, President Elect (UU) 3 years
Klas Kullander, President (UU) 3 years