INTRODUCTION
We are looking for a motivated and ambitious Postdoctoral fellow with extensive bioanalytical experience for studying Alzheimer pathology in human brain tissue using stable isotope labelling and mass spectrometry. We seek to understand the mechanisms by which Alzheimer pathology develops, which is critical for developing new treatment strategies and biomarkers. This is a two-year, NIH-funded fellowship.

SUBJECT AREA
Neurochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Neurodegenerative Disease

SPECIFIC SUBJECT DESCRIPTION
A pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the aggregation of beta-amyloid peptide into extracellular plaques and tau into intracellular tangles in the brain. New antibody therapies targeting those proteins give exciting but also ambiguous clinical results for treatment of AD which relates largely to the fact that it is still not fully resolved where and when AD pathology emerges in the brain. Hence, there is a great need for a detailed understanding of early AD pathology as well as new biomarkers that can be measured in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and blood that reflect early pathology in the brain and facilitate an early and accurate diagnosis and prognosis of AD.

DESCRIPTION
As part of this research, you will drive and be involved in a clinical projects utilizing SILK-mass spectrometry-based analysis of protein dynamics in AD pathology in brain tissue, specifically, the rate of deposition of amyloid-beta and other potential proteins and lipids in pathological aggregates in the brain. The main analytical methods to be used include mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunoprecipitation (IP), fluorescence microscopy and ex-situ mass spectrometry of proteins (proteomics). Please note that some on the work will be performed in conjunction with our Co-Investigator, Assoc. Prof. Jorg Hanrieder, in Gothenburg, Sweden. Travel stipend will be provided for this period.

ELIGIBILITY
To qualify as a postdoctoral researcher the applicant should hold a PhD in a relevant subject e.g. biology, chemistry, biomedicine, pharmacy; or MD, PhD with neuropathology fellowship training.

ASSESSMENT
Candidates will be assessed based on documented scientific experience with focus on method development and knowledge with regard to mass spectrometry of biological samples as demonstrated by publications in international, peer-reviewed journals. Previous experience in mass spectrometry imaging or alternatively, tissue imaging, immunoassays for neurochemical biomarker development for brain pathologies is a particular merit.
Ability to independently process data and write scientific publications is essential, as is the ability to be flexible and able to work independently. During assessment, account will be taken with respect to personal ability and qualifications.

CONTACT: Assoc. Prof. Katherine Schwetye, MD, PhD

Address:
Campus Box 8118
660 S. Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110

Dept. Psychiatry and Neurochemistry
University of Gothenburg
Mölndal Hospital House V3
SE 43180 Mölndal, Sweden

Homepage: www.neurochem.se

E-mail: schwetyk@wustl.edu
jh@gu.se

Key Literature:

Michno et al 2021 Science Advances
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.abg4855

Michno et al 2019 J Biol Chem
https://www.jbc.org/article/S0021-9258(20)36610-2/fulltext