Dept of Biochem & Mol Biol And Dept of Chem
Johnnie Ray Cox Term Chair in Biomedical Research
Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research Chair II
Focus: Mucosal inflammation, host: pathogen interactions, and cancer biology
Rotation projects We apply X-ray crystallography and biochemical methods to understand the mechanisms employed by the ribosome. Potential rotation projects are 1) to understand various aspects of translation via mutagenesis/biochemical assays, 2) to crystallize and work on determining the structures of translation factors and functional ribosome complexes, and 3) to improve computational methods used to determine crystal structures of macromolecules. Feel free to contact the lab for a more detailed discussion.
Rotation Projects Study the interaction of the ssDNA annealing protein Bet and its cognate exonuclease with dsDNA ends. Compare wild type Bet with one or mutant Bet proteins. Use both genetic and biochemical studies to answer the question of how this annealase binds to ssDNA and promotes recombination. Develop recombineering technologies for M. tuberculosis involving the electroporation of oligos containing clinically relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Generate a recombineering system for Pseudomonas aeruginosa via the electroporation of PCR substrates into electrocompetent cells containing PA phage Red-like recombination systems.
Focus: DNA Mismatch repair mechanisms in M. smegmatis; recombineering technology for gene replacement in bacterial pathogens, M. tuberculosis drug discovery.
Isadore and Fannie Foxman Chair in Medical Research
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Czech for additional details.
Mentoring……………………………………………………………………………………………………… The Czech laboratory is active in mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Many former student and postdoctoral trainees of the Czech laboratory are now internationally recognized professors at major universities and medical schools. These former lab members include: Paul Pilch, Professor of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine Jeffrey Pessin, Professor and Director of the Diabetes Center, Einstein College of Medicine Joan Massague, Director, Sloan Kettering Institute Roger Davis, HHMI investigator and Professor of Molecular Medicine, UMASS Medical School Silvia Corvera, Professor of Molecular Medicine, Co-Director of the MD/PhD Program, UMASS Medical School Carla Greenbaum, Vice Chair and Director of Clinical Research, Benaroya Research Institute Jes Klarlund, Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Rob Lewis, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eppley Cancer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center Richard MacDonald, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eppley Cancer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center Assia Shisheva, Professor of Physiology, Wayne State School of Medicine. Mark Sleeman, Professor of Physiology, Monash University, Australia John Harris, Associate Professor of Medicine, UMASS Medical School Zhen Jiang, Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Medicine, Boston University Vishu Puri, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio University Olga Gupta, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Tim Fitzgibbons, Assistant Professor of Medicine, UMASS Medical School Myriam Aouadi, Assistant Professor, Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre, Karolinska Institute Adilson Guilherme, Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School Our laboratory currently offers graduate student Rotation Projects (examples below and others available) and Thesis Research Projects for students following a rotation: Developing CRISPR technology for gene editing in adipocytes: Adipocytes function as master regulators of whole body metabolism and deletions of specific adipocyte genes in knockout mice promote dramatic improvements in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in diabetic models. Thus the ability to direct gene editing in adipocytes in vivo has great potential in developing therapeutic strategies for obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications. Alternatively, an ex vivo approach is also feasible since adipose cells can be genetically altered in vitro prior to implantation into mice with beneficial effects. Such projects are designed to be performed in collaboration with other Czech lab members with the goal of specifically deleting or editing genes in adipose depots that drive increases in fatty acid oxidation, energy expenditure and systemic metabolic activity. Exciting preliminary data at the “proof of principle” stage has been achieved and this project is designed to focus on specific genes of high interest for therapeutics. Signaling by the lipogenesis pathway through Acetyl CoA: A major function of adipocytes is to store calories as triglyceride, in part through the process of fatty acid synthesis (lipogenesis). This metabolic pathway involves a number of metabolites including Acetyl CoA, which is also a substrate for acetylation reactions that modify proteins such as histones. Thus metabolic flux through adipocyte lipogenesis may also function as a signaling pathway to the nucleus to modulate transcription via levels of Acetyl CoA that accumulate during this process. This rotation project is designed to test this idea at the molecular level by monitoring histone acetylations and resultant transcriptional events during changes in Acetyl CoA levels caused by altering physiological conditions such as exercise, obesity and diabetes. If this concept is correct, the project could lead to developing therapeutic strategies for metabolic disease based on targeting lipogenic enzymes.
Project 1 Investigate the lethal expression of P35 in dam lysogens. Plus inducer No inducer Lysogenic cultures of p35/dam (top) and p35/wildtype (bottom) were diluted and aliquots spotted on media with and without inducer.
Susan Woskie M.S. Occupational & Environmental Hygiene, Ph.D. B
Graduate students are encouraged to contact Heidi Tissenbaum to discuss projects available for rotations. Each student has a project tailored for both their abilities and class time commitments.
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
Maroun Semaan Chair in Biomedical Research
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Please contact Dr. Walhout for additional details.
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
Pathogen genetics of the host immune response
How the cholinergic nervous system communicates peroxisomal stress to the whole organism during bacteria infection
Role and regulation of novel innate immune effectors that are conserved across animalia
Focus: Microbiota-gut-brain axis in C. elegans; mucosal innate immunity; staphylococcus aureus; transcriptional regulation of host defense; autophagy; lysosomes; peroxisomes
We are looking for rotation students to visit our lab and participate in one of our ongoing research projects. Different aspects of the projects require different toolsets ranging from experimental biology to quantitative biology and mathematical modeling. Rotation students will have a chance to acquire new skill-sets and develop expertise required for implementing a quantitative approach for understanding cell regulation, signaling and evolution. Interested students should email Amir directly and briefly describe their academic background, future plans and interest in the lab. Current rotation projects: Investigating bacterial response to host-targeted drugs: As part of our research into the tumor-microbiome (tumor assosiated bacteria), we are testing how bacterial growth is inhibited by cytotoxic drugs that target cancer cells. Rotation students will run genetic screens in bacteria to identify bacterial toxicity and resistance mechanisms. In addition the students will test if bacteria can rapidly become drug resistance by evolutionary adaptation. Monitoring recovery dynamcis of melanoma cells in response to targeted therapy: The project involves examining and quantifying different aspects of cell behavior, population dynamics and adaptive resistance to targeted therapy. Rotation students will examine cellular behavior of established cell-lines and will clone and engineer new live-cell reporters for microscopy based assays.
Our team welcomes applications from individuals interested in advancing clinical care, science, and education through multidisciplinary innovation and research in restorative, regenerative, and global surgery. Positions are available for national and international undergraduate, graduate (including residents), and post-graduate students with a broad range of diverse expertise and backgrounds. Please submit your request along your CV to: giorgio.giatsidis@umassmed.edu Main areas of interest * Biological Sciences (wound healing & burns, tissue engineering, scaffolds, tissue mechanobiology, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, tissue regeneration [skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, skin], scarring and fibrosis, aging, tissue allotransplantation) * Clinical Sciences (trials in plastic surgery [breast reconstruction, post-bariatric surgery, burns, chronic wounds, fat grafting], microsurgery, extremity trauma and replantation, aesthetic surgery/medicine) * Global Surgery & Advocacy * Surgical Education (design and evaluation of skill courses, simulation-based training, cadaver-based training, use of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in surgical education) * Biomedical Engineering (design and development of devices or technologies for wound care, tissue preservation, trauma care, surgical robotics, tissue imaging, and tissue diagnostics) * Software Engineering (mHealth applications in surgery, tele-surgery) * Art sciences (Medical illustrations)
Our team is committed to provide opportunities to UMMS students to both advance their education and produce scholarly work. Committment and goals are individually discussed and tailored based on the student's interests, goals, needs, and availability. Projects are commonly designed to be led by the student under guidance, and to result in a scientific publication authored by the student. For applications please contact: giorgio.giatsidis@umassmed.edu. Areas of specific interest include (but are not limited to): - Surgical Education - Global Surgery
George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation Term Chair in Diabetes
Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology
Restorative & Regenerative Surgery Innovation Center
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Healthcare Delivery and Population Sciences at UMass Chan - Baystate
Joseph D. Early Chair in Biomedical Research