The Center for Neuroscience at Shantou University Medical College was established in 2008 with the strong support of the Li KaShing Foundation and continues to be funded by this institution. Furthermore, national and provincial grant support allows for internationally cutting edge and vigorous research in basic and applied neurobiology as well as cancer biology oriented towards elucidating the functions of cell adhesion molecules in normal physiology and pathology. Based at the medical school campus in a modern setting, the Center will move to its new location (built by the Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron) at the University Campus close to the city center. The Center for Neuroscience has developed into an internationally competitive research center with modern facilities for research in molecular, cellular and behavioral aspects of neuroscience using mice and zebrafish, also using transgenic approaches to investigate spinal cord and brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases in transgenic mice, fish and non-human primates. The characterization of ScFv antibodies with regeneration-promoting functions has recently been published (Wang and Schachner, J Neurochem. 2015 Mar 2. doi: 10.1111/jnc.13083). Furthermore, small organic molecules triggering beneficial functions of adhesion molecules leading to neuroprotection and regeneration have been characterized with the aim of translating discoveries in basic research into therapeutically beneficial outcomes.

The Center for Neuroscience is led with the consultation of Prof. Melitta Schachner, a world renowned neuroscientist being among the most cited neuroscientists worldwide. (Hirsch factor 116 in May 2015)

The research team currently comprises 24 members, including 2 professors, 1 associate professor, 2 postdoctoral associates, 2 PhD students, 13 master students, 3 technicians and an administrative assistant proficient in both Chinese and English. We are seeking talented and motivated postdoctoral scientists and postgraduate students to be productive in a stimulating scientific environment and well equipped laboratory setting.

We maintain close collaborations with the Center for Molecular Neurobiology at the University of Hamburg (Germany) and with the Center for Collaborative Neuroscience at Rutgers University (USA).

Contact details: Prof. Melitta Schachner, Center for Neuroscience, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, Guangdong 515041, China. Telephone: +86 (0)754 8890 0276, E-mail schachner@stu.edu.cn