Department of Neurophysiology

BSc Projects

BSc projects available at the Department of Neurophysiology
Medical faculty, Ruhr University Bochum

If you are a BSc student of the Ruhr University Bochum and are about to enter your final year of studies, you may apply for a BSc research project at the Department of Neurophysiology. Projects have a focus on biochemistry, psychology or biology and therefore can be integrated into your qualifications for a BSc in Chemistry, Psychology or Biology.

Direct queries about specifi cproject options are welcome.

Typically you will be expected to invest a minumum of 6 full-time weeks into the experimental work of your project.

Typical projects:

Investigations of the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors in spatial learning behaviour in the rat, analysis of signalling mechanisms and cascades associated with this modulation. The objective of this project is to find ot to what extent metabotropic glutamate receptors contribute to plasticity-dependent forms of learning and whether learning itself regulates receptor expression. Methods: 8-arm radial maze, western blotting analysis.

Western blotting analysis of the expression of dopamine receptors after induciton of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in vivo. The purpose of this study is to define to what extent synaptic plasticity results in a functional or expressional change in dopamine receptors that could underlie persistency of synaptic plasticity and the asscociated memory trace. Methods: Synaptic plasticity experimentation in rats, western blotting analysis.

Western blotting analysis of the expression of noradrenaline receptors after induciton of hippocampal synaptic plasticity in vivo. The purpose of this study is to define to what extent synaptic plasticity results in a functional or expressional change in noradrenaline receptors that could underlie persistency of synaptic plasticity and the asscociated memory trace. Methods: Synaptic plasticity experimentation in rats, western blotting analysis.

Candidates please submit:

1. An application letter that describes your research interests and motivation for applying, as well as a statement as to     which project is of interest
2. The names of two referees
3. A complete CV that describes your academic as well as research qualifications

to Prof Denise Manahan-Vaughan

Head of the Department of Neurophysiology,
Medical Faculty
Ruhr University Bochum
FNO 01/116
44780 Bochum
Germany

Tel: +49-234 32-22 042
Fax: +49-234 3214490

Mail: dmv-igsn@rub.de
Websites: www.rub.de/lmr    www.rub.de/igsn