Endowed Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology I
School of Public Health and Health Sciences
Veterinary & Animal Sciences; Pioneer Valley Life
Remondi Family Chair in Biomedical Research
POSTDOCTORAL POSITION: RNAI PRECLINICAL DEVELOPMENT Excellent training opportunity for a person considering industrial carrier in drug development Oligonucleotides represent a new class of drugs, which have the promise to become a major class of future therapeutics. There are several classes of oligonucleotides which can efficiently silence genes in various tissues with acceptable level of toxicity. There are also new chemistries being developed to further improve oligonucleotide tissue distribution and cellular uptake. The successful candidate will be a key part of an intra-disciplinary team working with biologists and chemists to develop novel types of therapeutics for treatment of neurological disease, liver disease and orphan indications. The work will include compounds identification, screening, characterization, in vivo efficacy and PK/PD studies, novel assays development etc. In addition exposure and training in nucleic acid pre-clinical development, project management etc will be provided. QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have (or expect to obtain shortly) a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or a related field , be bright, ambitious, independent and collaborative and ideally, have research experience in nucleic acid molecular cell biology or pharmacology.
RNAI MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY/ RNA OLIGONUCLEOTIDE CHEMISTRY Develop and characterize novel RNA chemistries to promote efficient oligonucleotide internalization and tissue distribution. Oligonucleotides represent a new class of drugs, which have the promise to become a major class of future therapeutics. There are several chemistries and formulations developed by us and others that effectively support oligo internalization and favorable PK/PD. In most cases in vivo efficacy is limited by (1) poor PK (2) inefficient tissue distribution (3) compound entrapment in biologically inactive intracellular compartments. The objective of future studies will be development of novel chemistries, which promote receptor mediated cellular internalization and/ or endosomal escape. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design and synthesis of novel RNA precursors, optimization of RNA synthesis and conjugation protocols and interface with the biology part of the lab. In addition, exposure to pre-clinical development programs and oligonucleotide manufacturing will be available. QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must have (or expect to obtain shortly) a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or a related field , be bright, ambitious, independent and collaborative and have previous experience in nucleic acid / oligonucleotide chemistry.
SMALL RNA TRAFFICKING Discover, characterize and adapt mechanisms of small RNA extracellular and intracellular trafficking for development of novel classes of oligonucleotide drugs. A serious limitation in realizing the potential of oligonucleotide based therapies has been the exceedingly inefficient transit of oligonucleotides from outside cells to the intracellular compartments where the biologically relevant activity happens. On the other hand, there are multiple lines of evidence supporting the notion that nature has implemented evolutionarily conserved mechanisms and pathways for efficiently trafficking small RNAs across cellular boundaries. The objective of future studies will be the systematic evaluation of mechanisms of cellular uptake of different classes of oligonucleotides and their comparison to mechanisms of native RNA trafficking using a combination of experimental approaches, including advanced RNA chemistry and high temporal and spatial resolution microscopy in living cells, Mass spectrometry, cell biology and others. The successful candidate will work closely with Victor Ambros and Silvia Corvera labs and the UMASS imaging group and receive training in RNA chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology and pre-clinical development. QUALIFICATIONS:Applicants must have (or expect to obtain shortly) a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology or a related field , be bright, ambitious, independent and collaborative and ideally, have research experience in nucleic acid molecular and cell biology
Our laboratory uses a combination of nucleic acid and oligonucleotide chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, and pharmacology and develops and evaluate novel technologies for development of oligonucleotide therapeutics. A rotation project is available to develop and identify chemically modified self-delivering RNAi compounds for treatment of Huntington and other diseases.
Sanjeev K. Manohar Professor, Director UMass BMEBT Program
Susan Woskie M.S. Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, Ph.D. B
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Rogaev for additional details.
Positions for postdoctoral fellows are available in the laboratory of Dr. Gang Han at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology of The University of Massachusetts- Medical School. Research will focus on developing novel small molecule/ nanoparticle approaches for translational biomedical sciences and molecular imaging. Qualifications: Candidates have a Ph.D degree in (1)Organic Chemistry/polymer synthesis , (2) Molecular cell biology , (3) Biophysics or (4) Biochemistry. A solid training and substantial organic synthesis, animal experiments, spectroscopy and microscopy are desired. Candidates need to have strong work ethic, creativity, and enthusiasm with proven ability to work independently and collaboratively. To apply: Applicants should submit their CV including a full publication list and sources of three reference letters by email to gang.han@umassmed.edu
Rotation projects <p >(1) Specific cell membrane component labeling using bioconjugated nanoparticles <p >(2) To develop tools for targeted and traceable siRNA delivery <p >(3) To synthesize functional nanomaterials for detecting biomarkers in biological fluids
Joseph J. Byrne Chair in Biomedical Research
? Rotation Projects Multiple rotation projects are available in several areas related to long-range gene regulation and higher order chromosome organization. Projects include thorough analyses of the biochemical mechanisms of long-range gene regulation of specific disease-related genes, as well as large-scale analyses of chromosome organization using high-throughput genomics technologies (5C and Hi-C). The lab employs a wide range of experimental approaches, including cell culture, protein biochemistry, microscopy, genomics as well computational approaches such as bioinformatics and modeling. Specific rotation projects are determined dependent on the interest of the student.
Rotation Projects <p >We have identified a number of bacterial pathways that are required for bacterial viability or virulence. We are particularly interested in: Phosphosignaling systems that regulate cell wall synthesis Metabolic regulatory mechanisms that trigger the “dormancy” response observed during infection. <p >A variety of genetic, biochemical, and informatic methods will be used to define the functions of these genes and the role played by each during infection. <p >
We are seeking a post-doctoral fellow to study toll/interleukin 1 receptors and their role in inflammatory disease pathogenesis using human cells and mouse models. Candidates should have a Ph.D. or M.D. degree, or have completed degree requirements. Experience in immunology, molecular biology and/or biochemistry and publication of papers in the areas of cytokine biology, receptor biochemistry and/or cell signaling required.
Potential Rotation Projects Expression of Toll-like receptors: Patterns of TLR expression in normal cells. Control of TLR receptor expression by environmental factors and cytokines. TLR expression in diseased tissues. Role of TLRs in disease pathogenesis: Use of knockout and genetically defined animals to study the role of TLRs in the control of bacterial or viral diseases. Structure-function studies of TLR signaling: Assessing the signaling activity of wild type and mutant TLRs (altered by site-directed mutageneis) using transient transfection and luciferase reporter gene analysis.
A postdoc opening is available to participate in the development of functional biomaterials for skeletal tissue regeneration focusing on immune regulation and inflammation resolution. The fellow is expected to work both independently and collaboratively, and contribute to a productive and cordial team environment. Salary follows NIH postdoctoral fellowship compensation guideline. Requirements: • Recent PhD in Chemical Biology, Bioengineering, Biology, or Polymer Science • Expertise in examining cell-material interactions (e.g. immune cell regulations, stem cell lineage commitment) OR synthesis and characterization of functional biomaterials expected • Experience with animal studies desired but not required • Self-motivated and organized, good written and oral communication skills. To apply for this position: Send your CV and the contact information for three references to Jie.Song@umassmed.edu
Potential Rotation Projects Degradable viscoelastic synthetic hydrogels for therapeutic cell delivery Prophylactic implant coatings against periprosthetic infections Shape memory polymer-based composite bone grafts
Population and Quantitative Health Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology