We are looking for postdoc candidates with experience in cancer biology, mouse models and genome-engineering. Please email CV and 3 letters of recommendation to Wen.Xue@umassmed.edu.
Our lab uses CRISPR tools to speed up cancer gene discovery and disease gene repair. Rotation projects are available to explore experimental techniques such as molecular cloning of CRISPR plasmids, measuring genome-editing efficiency, dissecting mice, and processing of mouse tumor/tissue for histology.
Biostatistics And Health Services Research
Blais University Chair in Molecular Medicine
Potential Rotation Projects: There are numerous potential rotation project available in the Mello lab: Projects include: Investigation of RNAi and related mechanisms, including Piwi Argonaute pathways and their affects on fertility and epigenetic inheritance; Investigation of germline determination and cell-fate specification during embryogenesis; the exploration of CRISPR mediated genome editing tools for C. elegans and other organisms; and finally the use of CRISPR to generate C. elegans models for human genetic disease.
Postdoctoral positions are available in the Tapper laboratory. For more information, please contact Dr. Tapper (andrew.tapper@umassmed.edu).
Endowed Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology II
For more information about the Postdoctoral position in Dr. Rando’s lab please use the link provided. Post doc position
Rotation projects are available to study chromatin structure and function. Project 1. Measure histone dynamics in yeast. Histone dynamics play major roles in chromatin metabolism and in the inheritance of chromatin states. To measure histone replacement rates in yeast, we have created yeast strains carrying inducible epitope-tagged histones H3 and H2A. Using microarrays, we will measure histone replacement rates in a variety of mutant yeast to ascertain the role of various chromatin remodeling factors in histone exchange reactions. Project 2. Characterize mechanisms for epigenetic inheritance in yeast. We have identified a variety of genes whose expression state in yeast is epigenetically heritable. We will screen the yeast genome for genes that affect the inheritance of these expression patterns. Project 3. Measure histone dynamics in embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells that can give rise to every type of cell in the adult animal. The role of chromatin structure in maintaining this pluripotent state is poorly understood, but it appears that stem cell chromatin is exceptionally labile relative to that in differentiated cells. We will create stem cell lines with inducible tagged histones to measure histone replacement rates across the mouse genome.
<p >Our laboratory combines biochemical, biophysical, molecular and cell biological approaches to investigate various aspects of pre-mRNA processing, mRNA metabolism and RNA quality control in eukaryotic cells. Potential rotation projects are available in all areas of the laboratory's interests (see Research section).
The project aims to develop computational algorithms and software programs for analyzing high-throughput sequence data such as ChIP-Seq RNA-Seq small RNA sequencing data. PhD required. A strong background in computational biology especially experience with analyzing high-throughput sequencing data is highly desirable. Excellent communication and writing skills and the ability to work with experimental and computational collaborators are essential. To apply please forward CV cover letter and three references to: Zhiping.Weng@umassmed.edu
Please contact Dr. Weng for information on rotations that are available in her lab.
Rotations <p >Project 1: Genetic screens for proteins that modify or regulate the activity of microRNAs in C. elegans.
Penelope Booth Rockwell Chair in Biomedical Research
Focus: Adeno-associated virus vector mediated gene transfer for gene therapy, gene therapy of inherited neurodegenerative Canavan Disease
Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Chair in Neurosciences
Dr. Brown’s laboratory has focused on the identification of gene defects that elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of selected neuromuscular diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), muscular dystrophy, adrenoleukodystrophy, hereditary neuropathy and hyperkalemic periodic paralysis.
William and Doris Krupp Professor in Medicine
David J. Freelander Memorial Professor in AIDS Research
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Corvera for additional details.
Rotation Projects Our rotation projects are in the area of diabetes and obesity, and we are interested in basic mechanisms of cell proliferation, differentiation and communication. Diabetes is highly correlated with obesity, but why obesity causes disease in some humans and not others is not understood. Amazingly, we still don’t understand how adipose tissue grows in human adults. A better understanding of this fascinating process can give us insight into basic mechanisms of cell growth, differentiation and communication, as well as mechanisms of disease, not only diabetes but also cancer and developmental defects. During your rotation, you will work on an important piece of a larger project, that has a well-defined outcome. Thus, your successful completion of the rotation project will allow you to be included at the time of publication of the work. Project 1: Adipose tissue is not only formed by adipocytes, but by other cells such as endothelial, mural and immune cells. Also, there are multiple kinds of adipocytes with different functions. We have recently developed conditions to develop adipose tissue from humans in-vitro (adipose tissue “organoids”). From this tissue we have been able to separated single cells, and find that they grow into different kinds of clones. We are now conducting RNAseq on >300 of those clones, to determine how many cell types exist in human adipose tissue, and what their roles are. In this rotation, you will be able to analyze RNAseq data to define what genes characterize these cells, and you will use virus transduction to create immortalized cells for further study. Project 2: Adipose tissue has many functions besides storing and releasing lipids. It also has to coordinate metabolism in the whole body. We have found that human “beige” adipose tissue, which is found in people who are metabolically healthy, expresses genes for secreted factors that communicate with the immune system and the brain. These include IL-33 and enkephalins. In this project you will knockout these genes, and investigate whether this changes the function of adipose tissue when we implant it into immune compromised mice.
A postdoctoral position is available
H. Arthur Smith Chair in Cancer Research
Rotation Projects Laboratory rotations are available to study signal mammalian transduction mechanisms. Several projects are available, including studies of protein kinase cascades, gene expression, the cell cycle, and apoptosis. Targeted gene disruption approaches in mice combined with biochemical and molecular biology studies will be examined.
If you are interesting in applying computational methods to biological problems please contact me. Potential projects in my lab are Modeling of transcription factor gene expression control in innate immune cells Evolutionary analysis of gene transcription factor networks in mammals Epigenetics inheritance in mice: From male sperm to phenotypic effect in grandchildren Application of genome and exome sequencing to newborn screening Development of computational methods for analysis of RNA-protein interactions
Focus: AAV vector technology and AAV-mediated miRNA therapeutics
Investigates neuromuscular disease with an emphasis on muscular dystrophies, cell death mechanisms, inflammatory pathway regulation and therapeutics for muscular dystrophies.
Gretchen Stone Cook Chair in Biomedical Sciences
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Zamore for additional details
Potential Rotation Projects Our laboratory uses a combination of biochemistry, cell biology, and genetics to dissect the RNAi pathway. A rotation project is available to explore the mechanisms that underlie the RNAi phenomenon or the biological pathways in which RNAi enzymes participate in flies, mice and humans.
Rotation Projects Please contact me if you are interested in hearing more about current lab projects and potential rotation projects: ann.rittenhouse@umassmed.edu.
Focus: Voltage-Gated Calcium channels and neuronal plasticity
Postdoctoral Fellow Applications are being accepted for one position. A position is available to develop Cys2His2 zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) for the treatment of monogenic disorders. This project will focus on the creation of ZFPs with novel DNA-binding specificity to recognize sequence elements within genomic loci of therapeutic interest. In collaboration with other laboratories, we will evaluate the activity of these ZFP-based gene therapy reagents in vitro and in vivo in relevant disease models. Applicants will also have the opportunity to learn to apply Cas9 and Cas12a editing systems in vivo.
Potential Rotation Projects Improving the Precision of CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases for gene therapy applications: We are working to improve the precision of the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate nucleases that will cleave at only a single site in the genome. These engineering efforts focus on increasing the DNA-editing precision of Cas9 and using protein engineering to introduce new properties into the nuclease. Much of this work is now transitioning to the use of Cas9 (and Cas12a) protein-RNA complexes. These modified nucleases will then be applied to patient derived cell-culture systems for the targeted repair or inactivation of disease-causing alleles. With the eventual goal of creating therapeutics for Sickle Cell Disease, beta-Thalassemia, HIV, Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, Hermansky Pudlak Syndrome and other monogenic disorders. ex vivo genome editing in CD34+ HSPCs: We are developing improved Cas9 proteins for delivery ex vivo into CD34+ HSPCs for therapeutic application to sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia. The goal is to modify the hematopoietic stem cells of a patient to complement the loss of function of the beta-globin gene and then return these cells to the patient through an autologous transplant. Development of Cys2His2 Zinc fingers proteins (ZFPs) as targeted therapeutics: We are developing artificial ZFPs for the regulation of target genes to change their gene expression profiles for therapeutic applications.
Herman G. Berkman Chair in Diabetes Care Innovation
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Brodsky for additional details.
Potential Rotation Projects We are utilizing a variety of technologies to study p53 regulation and function in Drosophila. These include genetic screens, molecular biology, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, tissue culture, RNAi, homologous recombination, and others. Rotation projects in this lab will be determined based on a combination of the student's and PI's interests. Possible projects are listed below: Project 1: A genetic screen for new regulators of Drosophila p53. Project 2: Using RNAi and homologous recombination to study regulators of p53. Project 3: Characterization of p53 activation in Drosophila tissue culture cells by flurescence microscopy, Real-Time PCR, and RNAi. Project 4: Genetic analysis of Drosophila p53 targets identified in microarray experiments.
Rotation Projects Please contact Nathan Lawson (nathan.lawson@umassmed.edu) for information regarding potential rotation projects. For information concerning recent research in the lab, please see:lawsonlab.umassmed.edu/research.html
Maroun Semaan Chair in Biomedical Research
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Please contact Dr. Walhout for additional details.
Research in Dr. Koupenova's lab focuses on the contribution of platelets to the immune response during viral infection and the consequent implications of that response to cardiovascular disease. For additional information about projects or joining the lab, contact Dr. Koupenova @ milka.koupenova@umassmed.edu
We are looking for motivated postdoctoral researchers. Send in your application and get in touch today!
- AAV gene therapy for genetic diseases - Therapeutic genome editing - RNA-based approaches to treating genetic diseases - Interactions between AAV vector and host cell - AAV vector capsid engineering
Population and Quantitative Health Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology