Health Informatics And Implementation Science
Biostatistics And Health Services Research
Cutler Chair in Vascular and Endovascular Surgery
Our Danny Cancer Fund Chair in Biomedical Research II
Postdoctoral positions are available for this lab. Please contact Eric Baehrecke directly, 508-856-6733 or via email, Eric.Baehrecke@umassmed.edu
Timothy S. and Elaine L. Peterson Chair in Rheumatology
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.
A postdoc position is available to study circadian rhythms in Drosophila. Contact Patrick Emery (patrick.emery@umassmed.edu).
Biological clocks play an essential role in the temporal organization of animal physiology and behavior. We combine the powerful genetics of Drosophila with molecular, cell culture and behavioral approaches to obtain a comprehensive view of the mechanisms regulating circadian clocks and one of their critical output: sleep. We also now study the mechanisms enabling marine organisms to anticipate tides. Indeed, we have developed a model organism to study circatidal rhythms: Parhyale hawaiensis. Rotation projects could for example focus on characterizing new candudate post-transcriptional regulators of circadian rhythms, the role of glial genes in the control of sleep, or studying the molecular mechanisms of circatidal clocks.
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Theurkauf for additional details.
Rotation Projects Proper control of cell division and accurate chromosome segregation are fundamental to cell function and normal development. Chromosome segregation errors lead to birth defects, and abnormal cell division control is associated with essentially all cancers. A major aim of research in the laboratory is to understand cell cycle control and chromosome segregation mechanisms. We use a combination of classical and molecular genetics, high-resolution in vivo imaging, and biochemical techniques to define pathways that control the cell cycle and chromosome segregation in response to environmental insult (DNA damaging agents) and developmental queues. Rotation projects focus on the role of cell cycle checkpoint and tumor suppressor pathways during the earliest stages of embryogenesis, and cell cycle control of actin and microtubule reorganization during mitosis. Through these projects, students gain exposure of the art in vivo imaging and genetic and molecular manipulations of gene function to define pathways controlling cell division and chromosome segregation. Embryonic Patterning Essentially all cells are asymmetric, with structurally distinct surfaces and polarized internal organization. This asymmetry is essential to the specialized functions cells serve within complex multi-cellular organisms . A second area of interest focuses on the mechanisms that establish cellular asymmetry. In Drosophila, the embryonic axes are specified during oogenesis through the asymmetric localization of key morphogenetic molecules within the developing oocyte. We use axis specification in the fly as a model for the processes that establish cellular asymmetry. An intact microtubule network is essential to axis specification in the fly oocyte and to polarization of somatic. We hope to define the molecular functions for microtubules in establishing cellular asymmetry. We are currently using in vivo imaging techniques to directly characterize the microtubule dependent mRNA transport processes that differentiate the anterior and posterior poles of the developing oocyte. In addition, classical genetic and biochemical techniques are used to identify the microtubule motors and associated proteins that mediate mRNA movements to the oocyte poles.
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.
Lambi and Sarah Adams Chair in Genetic Research
Rotations: Targeting the IFN-?-chemokine axis for treatment of vitiligo: We are using our newly developed mouse model and human tissues from patients with vitiligo to identify the cytokines and chemokines that are expressed within the depigmenting skin and which skin cells produce them. We are using genetically modified mouse strains (knockouts, conditional knockouts, fluorescent reporter strains), and cytokine and chemokine neutralizing antibodies to identify the key proteins required for disease. This data will permit us to rationally develop and test new therapeutic agents. Understanding the proinflammatory signals generated by melanocytes under cellular stress. Melanocytes from vitiligo patients have intrinsic abnormalities, including cellular stress evidenced by increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). The immune system has evolved to recognize this stress as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which activate innate immunity. We are using human cells and tissues to determine how cellular stress, innate immunity, and adaptive immunity cooperate to initiate and perpetuate depigmentation in vitiligo. Developing a humanized mouse model of immune-skin interactions to serve as a pre-clinical bridge to clinical studies: We are developing a humanized mouse model of skin disease that consists of an immunodeficient mouse strain as a host for an autologous human skin graft and immune reconstitution in order to study mechanisms of inflammation in the skin, including allergic contact dermatitis, response to infection, tumor immunotherapy, and autoimmunity, all within a fully human environment. This model system will act as a pre-clinical bridge between mouse models and human clinical trials, providing an opportunity to test new treatments on human cells and tissues prior to initiating trials on patients. Tracking real-time autoreactive T cell migration and interactions within the skin: We are using fluorescently/bioluminescently tagged CD8 T cells to track their movements and interactions within the skin in live mice, using real-time confocal microscopy and bioluminescent imaging. Initial studies will focus on the role of cytokines and chemokines in T cell migration within the skin. Clinical trial to test a novel treatment for vitiligo: We are in the early stages of developing a clinical trial based on insights developed from our animal data to test a novel drug for its ability to treat vitiligo.
Rotations: Targeting the IFN-g-chemokine axis for treatment of vitiligo: We are using our newly developed mouse model and human tissues from patients with vitiligo to identify the cytokines and chemokines that are expressed within the depigmenting skin and which skin cells produce them. We are using genetically modified mouse strains (knockouts, conditional knockouts, fluorescent reporter strains), and cytokine and chemokine neutralizing antibodies to identify the key proteins required for disease. This data will permit us to rationally develop and test new therapeutic agents. Understanding the proinflammatory signals generated by melanocytes under cellular stress. Melanocytes from vitiligo patients have intrinsic abnormalities, including cellular stress evidenced by increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). The immune system has evolved to recognize this stress as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which activate innate immunity. We are using human cells and tissues to determine how cellular stress, innate immunity, and adaptive immunity cooperate to initiate and perpetuate depigmentation in vitiligo. Developing a humanized mouse model of immune-skin interactions to serve as a pre-clinical bridge to clinical studies: We are developing a humanized mouse model of skin disease that consists of an immunodeficient mouse strain as a host for an autologous human skin graft and immune reconstitution in order to study mechanisms of inflammation in the skin, including allergic contact dermatitis, response to infection, tumor immunotherapy, and autoimmunity, all within a fully human environment. This model system will act as a pre-clinical bridge between mouse models and human clinical trials, providing an opportunity to test new treatments on human cells and tissues prior to initiating trials on patients. Tracking autoreactive T cell interactions within the skin: We are using fluorescently tagged CD8 T cells to track their cellular interactions within the skin using confocal microscopy. Future studies will adapt this model to investigate real-time migration and other movements of these cells within compartments of the skin. Clinical trial to test a novel treatment for vitiligo: We recently completed a clinical trial based on insights developed from our animal data to test a novel drug for its ability to treat vitiligo.
Interests: Vitiligo, autoimmunity, immunology, translational research
Interests: Pediatric dermatology, epidermolysis bullosa, genodermatoses, midline developmental defects, childhood exanthems, medical education, pediatric laser
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 >
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Ip for additional details.
Rotation Projects Project #1: Mechanistic study of isolated mutants that show abnormal intestinal stem cell division phenotypes. Project #2:Perform transgenic RNAi-based genetic screen for genes required for intestinal stem cell response to tissue damage.
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Budnik for additional details.
Interests: Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, perioral dermatitis, fungal infections, cutaneous malignancies, infectious diseases, medical education
Interests: Pediatric dermatology, psoriasis, genodermatoses, medical dermatology, inpatient dermatology
Richard M. Haidack Professor in Medicine
Interests: Autoimmunity, Immunology, Fibrosis, Translational Research, Lupus
Bassel Hamdy Mahmoud Abdallah MD, PhD, FAAD
Interests: Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancers, nail surgery, scar revision, lasers, vitiligo and cosmetic surgery
Population and Quantitative Health Sciences
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Healthcare Delivery and Population Sciences at UMass Chan - Baystate
Susan D Moffatt-Bruce MD, PhD, FRCSC, MBOE, MBA,FACS
Joseph D. Early Chair in Biomedical Research