MASTER’S THESIS
MASTER’S THESIS
NeuroRestore is a research and innovation center spanning EPFL and the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) that develops and applies medical therapies aimed to restore neurological functions. We integrate implantable neurotechnologies with innovative treatments developed through rigorous preclinical and clinical studies. These developments have led to breakthroughs for the treatment of paraplegia, tetraplegia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries. By working with our network of vibrant high-tech start-ups and established medical technology companies, we are committed to validate our medical therapy concepts and see them used every day in rehabilitation clinics worldwide.
Neuronal axon regeneration to restore upper-limb functions after paralysis
Our team regenerated neuronal axons across a complete spinal cord injury (SCI) for the first time (Nature, MA Anderson et al. 2018). Recently, we leveraged our regenerative strategy to restore walking after paralysis in mice (Science, JW Squair et al. 2023). We now focus on applying our regenerative therapy to restore upper-limb functions in rodents. The student will be involved in our effort to regrow neuronal axons across a cervical spinal cord lesion to restore upper-limb functions after paralysis in rodents.
The Master project will contribute to:
Assessing if our regenerative therapy successfully leads to axonal growth across cervical SCI.
Optimizing the components of our regenerative therapy for cervical SCI.
Assessing the effect of our regenerative therapy if delivered at different timepoints after SCI.
Evaluating upper-limb functional recovery after cervical SCI, mediated by our regenerative therapy.
In terms of practical work, the student will perform:
Histological work (immunohistological stainings, tissue sectioning)
Imaging (use of high-quality microscopes such as slide-scanner and confocal microscope)
Image analysis
Rodent surgery related work
Preferred skills: previous research experience, cryostat tissue sectioning, immunohistological stainings, microscopy, image analysis, rodent perfusions, rodent animal work, R programing, biology and neuroscience knowledge.
These skills are not absolutely necessary, most important is high motivation and patience, the rest can be taught. Backgrounds in biology, neuroscience, medicine and engineering are suitable. Track record of exceptional performance is highly valued.
By joining our team, the student will get the opportunity to collaborate with leaders of the field and to contribute in groundbreaking research with the potential to change the lives of paralyzed people. The student will receive all necessary guidance and support to acquire practical skills and carry out their project. As a team with a strong track record of scientific breakthroughs annually published in the journals Nature, Science and Nature Medicine, we are looking for an exceptional and talented student to join us.
Preferred starting date: fall 2024
Location: Campus Biotech – Geneva. Starting date is flexible.
Contact: Achilleas Laskaratos achilleas.laskaratos@epfl.ch