Education: Postdoctoral and Visiting Scientists

Gene/Antibody Therapies for Neurological Diseases
POTENTIAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Current projects include:

Huntington's Disease: Single-chain Fv (scFv) intrabodies appear effective against Huntington's Disease in vitro and in vivo; and we are refining gene and protein delivery, plus combinatorial therapies. Complementary HD research in the lab studies the involvement of DNA repair in the underlying mechanisms of repeat instability, other genetic background effects on disease onset and progression, and active immunizations.

Parkinson's Disease: We are currently testing several candidate anti-alpha-synuclein intrabodies for Parkinson's Disease using cell cultures. These should be going into preclinical trials using transgenic mice and gene delivery vectors in mouse brain shortly. In order to increase stability of these antibody fragments as intrabodies, we are also examining variable heavy-chain (VHH) camelid candidates. These reagents can also be delivered ex vivo to protect grafted cells.

Conformation-specific intrabodies: In collaboration with Dr. Michael Sierks, Arizona State Univ, we are utilizing scFvs that recognize specific misfolded states of neurodegenerative proteins, both as research tools and as potential therapeutics.

Novel uses of antibody fragment libraries

Please see http://www.wadsworth.org/resnres/bios/messer.htm for recent publications and further information.
Most of the above require a Ph.D., although experienced M.S. candidates will be considered.