Brain cell types and neuromodulators in fear memory models

Research project description

A PhD position is available at the Institute of Neuroscience from the Universitat Autònoma Barcelona in collaboration with Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia under the supervision of Raul Andero and Silvia Pittolo.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate that will investigate brain cell types and neuromodulators in fear memory models.

Exposure to stress confers risk for psychiatric conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the precise neurobiology underlying response to stressors and treatment is unclear, and astrocytes have received little attention in this field. By using a set of brain recordings in freely-moving animals and chemogenetics, this project aims at understanding the interaction between brain cell types and neuromodulators during consolidation and extinction of fear memory, two key processes altered in PTSD.

First, we will monitor neuromodulator and astrocyte dynamics in mouse prefrontal cortex (PFC)—a key brain area in fear processing and resilience to stress—using fiber photometry during acute stress and fear acquisition and extinction, before and after esketamine treatment. Then, we will image single neurons via implanted miniscopes to establish PFC neuronal activity before and after stress and esketamine treatment. Finally, we will test if manipulating PFC astrocyte activity via chemogenetics can alter the neuronal circuits of fear and response to treatment.

The strength of this project lies in integrating multiple layers of information, ranging acute stress paradigms, real-time neuromodulator dynamics, and activity of different types of brain cells, all time-locked to animal behavior. This is only possible by combining the two mentors’ expertise. The final goal is to unveil whether neuromodulators induced by acute stress alter communication between astrocytic and neuronal networks, and whether a single dose of esketamine restores normal circuit function.

Prof. Andero will supervise the project and bring expertise in stress, fear-memory, and miniscope imaging and analyses. Dr. Pittolo will supervise fiber photometry and astrocyte experiments. By integrating the background and expertise of different labs, we aim at creating novel insight into the brain mechanisms underlying PTSD and the mode of action of a repurposed drug. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the PhD Neurosciences doctoral program at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) in the framework of the TOUCH project. TOUCH (“Towards the next generatiOn of excellent yoUng doctoral researchers on mental health by developing an intersectoral & transdisciplinary approaCH”) is a new excellent doctoral programme co-funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) Actions of the European Commission and led by the UAB for the recruitment and training of 24 doctoral candidates in the field of mental health and wellbeing

Academic background / Skills

The candidates must fulfil the following eligibility criteria from the EC: Mobility rule: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the deadline for the programme call. Experience rule: researchers must be doctoral candidates at the date of recruitment, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the deadline of the open calls. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible. Candidates must hold a degree that allows admission to the official doctoral programme at UAB.

Additional requirements for a stronger application are:

• We seek a candidate well-versed in neuroscience research, including hands-on experience with brain histology and knowledge of basic molecular biology techniques. The ideal candidate has a minimum period of six months spent in a neuroscience laboratory, with a preference for experience in stress or fear-related research and glial biology.
• FELASA accreditation to work with laboratory mice and prior experience with animal surgery involving miniscopes or fiber photometry will be highly valued. The candidate should also possess solid coding skills, with the ability to read and write at least one of the following languages: Matlab, R, Python. A foundational understanding of research integrity and 4Rs as well as of basic statistics applied to biology is also required. Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills and English fluency, both oral and written, are desired for this position.

It is recommended the candidate has an interview with Professor Andero before applying to this scholarship: Raul.andero@uab.cat.

Research group/s description

The laboratory applying for this scholarship is the Translational Mechanisms of Fear Memory lab, led by ICREA Professor Raul Andero, which belongs to the SGR “Neurobiologia de l’estrès i vulnerabilitat a la psicopatologia”. Professor Andero’s group is focused on behavioural and neural mechanisms of stress and memory in the brain. Specifically, the laboratory studies how stress changes molecular processes underlying fear memories in the brains of both animal models and humans. Additionally, they aim to further understand sex differences in these fear memory circuits which will help to find more effective treatments for patients suffering anxiety and fear-based disorders such as Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder or specific phobias.