Field of Study:
Neurobiology
Department:
Neurology, Neuroscience Research Institute
Rank of Student:
all ranks
Desired Majors:
Anyone interested in neurobiology and specifically neurodegeneration research
Hours per Week:
20
Compensation Type:
Academic Credit,
Salary / Stipend,
Work-Study,
Voluntary Experience
Application Deadline:
Contact:
bogdan.beirowski@osumc.edu
Private
Public
Project Description
Contribute to exciting neuroscience research on axon degeneration, a centerpiece of many neurodegenerative diseases, and a subject at the forefront of current neurodegeneration research.
Potential tasks and responsibilities include participation in ‘in vitro’ and ‘in vivo’ neurodegeneration projects. We predominantly use rodents as model organism in our lab. The student is expected to show enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to learn. In turn, the mentor will guide the student in the process of scientific thinking and experimentation. Ultimately the expectation is that the student will become able to formulate pertinent scientific questions and devics experiments to address them.
Project outcomes: The specific outcomes of this project will be identified by the faculty mentor at the beginning of your collaboration. Possible tangible project outcomes include, but are not limited, to interactions with leaders in neurodegeneration research including collaborators at other institutions, poster presentations at neuroscience conferences, authorship in neuroscience journal, co-writing review articles, and contribution to grant applications.
Key lab publications regarding the topic:
Babetto E, Wong KM, Beirowski B. A glycolytic conversion of Schwann cells protects injured axons. Nature Neuroscience 2020, 23(10): 1215-28
Beirowski B, Wong KM, Babetto E, Milbrandt J. mTORC1 promotes proliferation of immature Schwann cells and myelin growth of differentiated Schwann cells. PNAS 2017, 114(21): E4261-E4270
Beirowski B, Babetto E, Golden JP, Chen Y, Yang K, Gross RW, Patti GJ, Milbrandt J. Metabolic regulator LKB1 plays a crucial role in Schwann cell-mediated axon maintenance. Nature Neuroscience 2014, 17(10): 1351-61
Babetto E, Beirowski B, Russler E, Milbrandt J, DiAntonio A. The Phr1 ubiquitin ligase promotes injury-induced axon self-destruction. Cell Reports 2013, 5(3): 1422-29
Potential tasks and responsibilities include participation in ‘in vitro’ and ‘in vivo’ neurodegeneration projects. We predominantly use rodents as model organism in our lab. The student is expected to show enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to learn. In turn, the mentor will guide the student in the process of scientific thinking and experimentation. Ultimately the expectation is that the student will become able to formulate pertinent scientific questions and devics experiments to address them.
Project outcomes: The specific outcomes of this project will be identified by the faculty mentor at the beginning of your collaboration. Possible tangible project outcomes include, but are not limited, to interactions with leaders in neurodegeneration research including collaborators at other institutions, poster presentations at neuroscience conferences, authorship in neuroscience journal, co-writing review articles, and contribution to grant applications.
Key lab publications regarding the topic:
Babetto E, Wong KM, Beirowski B. A glycolytic conversion of Schwann cells protects injured axons. Nature Neuroscience 2020, 23(10): 1215-28
Beirowski B, Wong KM, Babetto E, Milbrandt J. mTORC1 promotes proliferation of immature Schwann cells and myelin growth of differentiated Schwann cells. PNAS 2017, 114(21): E4261-E4270
Beirowski B, Babetto E, Golden JP, Chen Y, Yang K, Gross RW, Patti GJ, Milbrandt J. Metabolic regulator LKB1 plays a crucial role in Schwann cell-mediated axon maintenance. Nature Neuroscience 2014, 17(10): 1351-61
Babetto E, Beirowski B, Russler E, Milbrandt J, DiAntonio A. The Phr1 ubiquitin ligase promotes injury-induced axon self-destruction. Cell Reports 2013, 5(3): 1422-29
Additional Information
Three reasons why to choose our lab:
1. We study a clinically important problem which is relevant for the understanding and treatment of numerous neurodegenerative conditions. This is very different from many other labs which frequently focus on few aspects of one or two diseases.
2. We apply a broad range of methods in our lab including structural, biochemical, electrophysiological, and neurobehavioral analyses in vitro and in vivo giving you the opportunity to be trained in a variety of techniques.
3. We are a young and ambitious lab that aims at high quality science and discoveries. If you come to our lab you will receive highest quality hands-on training directly from experts, to ensure proper guidance, and not from a technician or another student as seen in many other labs.
1. We study a clinically important problem which is relevant for the understanding and treatment of numerous neurodegenerative conditions. This is very different from many other labs which frequently focus on few aspects of one or two diseases.
2. We apply a broad range of methods in our lab including structural, biochemical, electrophysiological, and neurobehavioral analyses in vitro and in vivo giving you the opportunity to be trained in a variety of techniques.
3. We are a young and ambitious lab that aims at high quality science and discoveries. If you come to our lab you will receive highest quality hands-on training directly from experts, to ensure proper guidance, and not from a technician or another student as seen in many other labs.
Required Applicant Information
CV/resume, the students should articulate why they are interested in this specific laboratory and why they think they will be successful and productive in this field of study.
Required or Desired Skills
Previous exposure to bench science, including pipetting skills, is required. Accuracy, the ability to maintain records, effective communication, and most of all interest in axon-glia interactions and axon degeneration are all essential. Preferably the student will have had exposure to at least one of the following techniques: PCR, Western Blotting, immunostaining.
Faculty Member Lead:
Dr. B. Beirowski, MD, PhD
Starting Semester:
Autumn,
Spring,
Summer
Length of Project (in semesters):
6