The Aroian Group is actively recruiting graduate students to: 1. use microbiology and genetics to develop new methods for delivery of protein therapies (anthelmintics) to the GI tract 2. discovery and mechanism of action studies of new anthelmintics to control soil-transmitted helminths 3. study how vertebrate hosts and their immune system interact with intestinal nematodes, with the particular goal of controlling autoimmune disease 4. study innate immune mechanisms that protect animals against pore-forming toxin attack
Endowed Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology I
Dept of Biochem & Mol Biol And Dept of Chem
Elisabeth Chair for the Dean of Medicine
Cutler Chair in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
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.
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.
UMass Chan Medical School Chair in Biomedical Research
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Rock for additional details.
Potential Rotation Projects <p >Rotations are available in Dr. Rock’s laboratory for graduate students in the GSBS program. The rotation projects will explore various aspects of how the immune system carries out surveillance to detect viral infections and cancers. Among the potential areas of research are: (1) The alarm signals that alert the immune system to potential danger; (2) The initial innate immune and inflammatory response to infection or other dangerous situations; (3) The biology of the sentinel cells (e.g. dendritic cells) that sense danger and report it the adaptive immune system; (4) The mechanisms by which sentinel cells (e.g. dendritic cells) acquire and display antigens to T cells; and, (5) The antigen presentation pathways by which virally infected or cancer cells display a sampling of their expressed gene products to the activated T cells. Specific rotation projects are chosen based on the student’s interests and state/availability of the various projects in the laboratory. The goals of rotations are for the student to gain knowledge in immunology, to learn how to approach experimental problems, to learn new techniques and methods, and to actually generate data that moves our knowledge forward. In addition, the rotation provides the student the opportunity to evaluate the laboratory as a possible place to conduct their thesis research in the future.
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.
Focus: Paramyxovirus and Pneumovirius membrane fusion and virus assembly, virus vaccines
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. McCollum for additional details.
Rotation Projects Analog sensitive LATS kinase: The goal of this project is to use CRISPR based genome modification to make mutations in the endogenous LATS kinase that cause it to be inhibited by a synthetic ATP analog. This will allow LATS kinase activity to be turned on and off using the ATP analog. The analog sensitive cell line will be a valuable tool for studying Hippo pathway responses to various stimuli and will be used to test whether dephosphorylation of LATS substrates is an important regulatory mechanism. This project will also set the stage for future experiments to create mice that have analog sensitive versions of LATS. These mice will be used to test whether LATS inhibition is a viable treatment for regenerative therapies for the heart, gut, pancreas and other organs. TRIP6 and Angiomotin interacting proteins: We know that cells monitor their mechanical environment by sensing F-actin levels and by measuring tension at cell-cell junctions. We have identified angiomotins as sensors for F-actin and the TRIP6 protein as part of a tension sensor at cell-cell junctions. However, to understand how these sensors work, we need know the network of proteins that they each interact with, and how those networks change in response to mechanical perturbations. To do this we will fuse each sensor to the promiscuous biotin ligase protein BirA, and express the fusion proteins in cells under various conditions. The biotin ligase will label proteins in close proximity with biotin. Labeled proteins will be purified and analyzed by mass spectrometry, and the spectrum of interacting partners under different conditions will be compared.
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Lambright for additional details.
Lab Rotations <p >Our lab takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of fundamental problems in cell biology, signal transduction and membrane trafficking. Rotation projects are available in any of the areas of interest to the lab. Projects are tailored to the individual interests of the students and often involve a combination of molecular, biochemical, biophysical, structural and/or cell based analyses to investigate signaling and trafficking mechanisms. <p >
Potential Rotation Projects Several rotation projects are available in structural biology of immune receptors, antigen presentation pathways, T-cell activation, and development of novel T-cell detection reagents. Please see Prof. Stern for details.
Distinguished Professor and Chair Emeritus
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
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR AND CHAIR EMERITUS
Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology
Healthcare Delivery and Population Sciences at UMass Chan - Baystate
Preventing Osteoarthritis After an ACL Injury
Preventing Osteoarthritis After an ACL Injury Playing the Long Game: Consensus for Preventing OA
Preventing Osteoarthritis After an ACL Injury Playing the Long Game: Consensus for Preventing OA Characteristics of Accelerated Hand Osteoarthritis
Jack M. Wilson Chair in Biomedical Research
Joseph D. Early Chair in Biomedical Research