How does dysregulated Ser-Arg Protein Kinase (SRPK) signalling cause Alzheimer’s disease?

• Funding – BBSRC funded 4 year studentship, providing tuition fees, training/research costs and an annual stipend at the UKRI rate, currently £21,805
• Start Date – September 2027
• Applicants are expected to have a degree (equivalent of Honours or Masters) in a relevant discipline

The focus of our lab is on dissecting neurological functions of the Ser-Arg Protein Kinases (SRPK) kinase family and its downstream signalling pathways. SRPK was   originally identified as a splicing factor kinase, but recent findings have implicated SRPK in various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Indeed, SRPK2 is found overexpressed in AD brains, where it drives hyper-phosphorylation of AD-relevant substrates, including the microtubule binding protein Tau and the Tau/APP   protease Delta secretase. As a result, we now aim to comprehensively map neuronal SRPK substrates and downstream signalling pathways using phosphoproteomic  profiling mass spectrometry in hiPSC-derived neurons and brain tissue. This will identify key mechanisms by which SRPK dysregulation in neurons and in the brain causes AD. The ultimate goal of the project is to exploit SRPK as a novel therapeutic target for treatment of AD in patients.

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to   make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We  welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening     access to  those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.