Health Informatics And Implementation Science
Rotations <p >Project 1: Genetic screens for proteins that modify or regulate the activity of microRNAs in C. elegans.
Clinical research opportunities are available for medical and PhD students, residents and junior faculty upon request. We are currently not hiring paid research staff. We cannot accept basic scientists. Please read up on our research first before applying.
Dr. Muehlschlegel is a neurointensivist devoted to improving the care of patients with catastrophic neurological injuries. Her research interests concentrate on outcome prognostication in neurocritical care, particularly in moderate-severe traumatic brain injury. She is the principal investigator for several research studies at the UMASS Neuro-Intensive care unit (NeuroICU).
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.
Dr. Esteves is a neuroscientist with interest in gene therapy to help treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Governor Paul Cellucci Chair in Neuroscience Research
Project 1: Dervelop RNA-based therapies for frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and related disroders. Project 2: Study pathogenic mechanisms of FTD and related disorders in mouse models.
Our lab uses a combination of molecular, cellular, genetic, and behavioral approaches to further dissect the pathogenic mechanisms of Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis with a focus on mutant CHMP2B, progranulin and C9ORF72. We will identify common underlying pathways as potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
Please contact the Human Resources at UMass for openings in Dr. Bergmann's lab.
Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research Chair III
Please email Kate.Fitzgerald@umassmed.edu if you are interested in rotations.
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.
Dr. Henninger is a vascular neurologist with research interest in the neurobiology of axonal injury associated with traumatic brain injury and its contribution to functional outcome.
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.
Immediate opening! Two postdoctoral positions are available immediately to study cellular andmolecular mechanisms resulting in immunosuppression after alcohol use. Thefocus of this research is the role of monocytes and dendritic cells indecreased antigen-specific T cell activation after alcohol use.Intracellular signalling mechanisms resulting in decreased NF-kBactivation and inflammatory cytokine induction after acute alcoholconsumption are being investigated. Please contact Dr. Szabo for details.
Background for Student Rotation Projects <p >See Politz, Hogan and Pederson (2009) and Politz et al. (2005) in the above list. The novel microRNA work may be the most suitable for student rotations. Potential Rotation Projects <p >Are the nucleolar microRNAs pri-, pre- or mature? <p >Are they complexed with other nucleolar RNAs? <p >Do the cell cycle related proteins in the nucleolus exist as heterotypic complexes? <p >Does the nucleolus of human embryonic stem cells also share these features (which we have so far looked for, and found, only in transformed human cell lines)? <p >Can vanadium tagging be used to detect specific proteins by electron microscopy, perhaps exceeding the limitations of immuno-EM?
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.
Please contact Dr. Imbalzano to discuss the possibility of a postdoctoral training.See lab research interests and publications for recent topics of research. http://www.umassmed.edu/imbalzanolab/ http://www.umassmed.edu/imbalzanolab/publications/
Please contact Dr. Imbalzano to discuss the possibility of a rotation project. Rotation projects are generally based on current work and tailored to the interests of the student. See lab research interests and publications for recent topics. http://www.umassmed.edu/imbalzanolab/ http://www.umassmed.edu/imbalzanolab/publications/
Arthur F. Koskinas Chair in Neuroscience
Many rotation projects are available so please inquire.
Rotation Projects Potential Rotation Projects Allostericregulation of PTEN using biophysical techniques. Analysis of PTEN structure by NMR. Therapies directed against cancer stem cells for human glioblastomas. Signaling directed therapies for meningioma brain tumors. <p > <p >
<p >Rotation Projects <p >Rotation projects are designed to expose students to the molecular cell biology of solid tumors and to provide them with an appreciation for translational cancer research. Specific rotation projects, which are focused on the major themes of the lab, include: <p >Function and Regulation of Integrins (Cell Adhesion Receptors) in Cancer Epigenetic mechanisms that regulate integrin gene expression in human cancers Regulation of integrin expression and function during the EMT Role of specfic microRNAs (miRs) in regulating integrin function and signaling Contribution of integrins to carcinoma progression using mouse models of breast carcinoma <p >Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Signaling, EMT and Carcinoma Progression Function and expression of VEGF receptors in carcinoma cells Regulation of VEGF transcription in response to EMT stimuli Role of miRs in regulating VEGF receptors and signaling Contribution of VEGF signaling to the behavior of aggressive, de-differentiated carcinomas <p >Nuclear Hormone Receptors and EMT Role of estrogen receptors in regulating the EMT Regulation of VEGF transcription by estrogen receptors
Richard M. Haidack Professor in Medicine
Population and Quantitative Health Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology
Healthcare Delivery and Population Sciences at UMass Chan - Baystate
Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research Chair I
Joseph D. Early Chair in Biomedical Research
Alan Charles Hartford MD, PhD, FACR, FASTRO
Eleanor Eustis Farrington Chair in Cancer Research