Researcher PHD Student

PhD position in Drug Development for Dopaminergic Neurons

The Brodski Lab

Dopamine is an essential neurotransmitter modulating major brain functions such as motor control, cognition and emotions. A dysfunction of the dopamine system plays a critical role in devastating brain disorders including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and affective disorders.

The overall aim of our lab is to better understand the molecular mechanisms controlling the development, maintenance and dysfunction of dopaminergic neurons and improve therapies for dopamine-associated disorders.

In particular, we are currently focusing on the role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the development, survival and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and evaluate the BMP pathway as novel drug target for Parkinson’s disease.

Our work is well funded by the US-Israel Binational Science foundation for a collaborative project with the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City and the Michal J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Disease Research.

The Project

We look for students who will lead our drug development program aiming to protect dopaminergic neurons. The successful candidate will use human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived dopaminergic neurons, molecular, behavioural and pharmacological methods.

Our University

Our university provides an outstanding research environment, underpinned by state-of-the-art core services, interdisciplinary scientific training programs in an international environment including PhD students from all over the world. Our working language is English.

Although the deadline is Sept. 1st, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Lab Homepage:

https://in.bgu.ac.il/en/fohs/Claude_Brodski

Relevant Publications:

*Jovanovic VM, Salti A, Tilleman H, Zega K, Jukic MM, Zou H, Friedel RH, Prakash N, Blaess S, Edenhofer F, and Brodski C.

BMP/SMAD pathway promotes neurogenesis of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in vivo and in human induced pluripotent and neural stem cells

The Journal of Neuroscience 2018 Feb 14;38(7):1662-1676. (Impact Factor: 6.2)

*Selected as cover story & Discussed in The Journal of Neuroscience Journal Club, 11 July 2018

Vitic Z., Safory H., Jovanovic V.M., Sarusi Y., Stavsky A., Kahn J., Kuzmina A., Toker L., Gitler D., Taube R., Engelender S. and Brodski C. 2021

BMP5/7 protect dopaminergic neurons against α-synuclein induced neurotoxicity in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease.

Brain, 2021, Mar 3; 144(2):e15 (Impact Factor: 13.5)