Endowed Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology I
Fiocruz-Minas Caroline Junqueira, PhD - Staff Scientist Camila Brabosa, PhD student - Mapping of CD8 T cell-specifc Epitopes from Malaria Blood Stage Gregorio Almeida, DVM, PhD - Immunology of Asymptomatic Malaria Guilherme Maia, PhD - Innate Lymphocytes in Malaria Isabella Hirako, PhD - Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells in Malaria Júlia Castro, MSc student - Chagas Disease Vaccine Larissa Pereira, MSc student - Inflammatory Caspases in Malaria Kely Mateucci, PhD - Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells Metabolism in Malaria Milton Pereira, PhD - Caspases and inflammasomes in Malaria and Chagas Disease Natalia Satchiko Souza, PhD - CD8+ T cells in malaria UMASS Danielle Durso, PhD - IRAKs and Myddosomes in host resistance to T. gondii Patricia Assis, PhD - Host Clock genes and Malaria Ogooluwa Ojelabi, PhD - Glucose Metabolism and Malaria
Elisabeth Chair for the Dean of Medicine
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
Rotations <p >Project 1: Genetic screens for proteins that modify or regulate the activity of microRNAs in C. elegans.
Lab rotations are currently available in this lab. Please contact Dr. Kim.
My research for almost 30 years has focused on obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes and explores the molecular link between inflammation and insulin resistance using transgenic mice with elegant in vivo metabolic experiments and molecular approaches. My research also investigates the role of inflammation and altered metabolism in diabetic heart disease.
Paul J. DiMare Chair in Neurodegenerative Disease
Rotation Projects: See our lab webpage for more information on Research Projects: https://www.umassmed.edu/boscolab
Elucidating the factors involved in sporadic ALS and investigating protein misfunction associated with neurodegenerative disease.
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 Postdoctoral position is available in the Trivedi lab to study roles of novel chromatin and epigenetic modifications during cardiovascular development and disease (for details of our research: The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Science Advances, Journal of Experimental Medicine, ATVB, Human Molecular Genetics, Journal of Biological Chemistry). Candidates with a PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Stem Cell Biology or Developmental Biology are encouraged to apply. Previous experience with mice handling and biochemistry-molecular biology-epigenetics related techniques such as ChIP-seq is strongly desired. Candidate will be required to learn new techniques in the area of translational biology to advance their project.
Rotation Projects: Please contact Chinmay Trivedi (chinmay.trivedi@umassmed.edu) for information regarding potential rotation projects (for details - research performed by graduate students in the trivedi lab: The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Science Advances, Journal of Experimental Medicine, JCI Insight, ATVB, Human Molecular Genetics, Journal of Biological Chemistry). We will develop a specific rotation project based on student's interest, background, and goals of the rotation. Students can rotate either for a half- or full-semester.
Worcester Foundation for Biomedical Research Chair III
Please email Kate.Fitzgerald@umassmed.edu if you are interested in rotations.
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.
A postdoctoral position is available
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.
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.
Neil and Margery Blacklow Chair in Infectious Diseases and Immunology
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?
David J. and Barbara D. Milliken Professor in Preventive Cardiology
Arthur F. Koskinas Chair in Neuroscience
Many rotation projects are available so please inquire.
Herman G. Berkman Chair in Diabetes Care Innovation
A postdoctoral position is available to study in this laboratory. Contact Dr. Craig for additional details.
Potential Rotation Projects Project #1: Lipid-Layer Protein Crystallization for Electron Microscopy.While individual protein molecules can be readily visualized by EM, structural information is greatly enhanced if the molecules can by crystallized into 2-dimensional ordered arrays. Methods for achieving this are well established, making use of lipid monolayers at an air-water interface. Follow literature methods to crystallize "standard" proteins using the lipid-layer method. Observe results by electron microscopy following negative staining. If time permits, carry out preliminary image processing of micrographs and/or crystallization of unknown proteins. Techniques to be learned: lipid layer crystallization methods; grid preparation; use of electron microscope; image processing.
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
<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
Dr. Almeida focuses on uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Her research leverages patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines to create neuronal models that closely mimic disease conditions.
Population and Quantitative Health Sciences
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
Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology
Restorative & Regenerative Surgery Innovation Center
https://www.umassmed.edu/globalassets/radiology/documents/King-Graduate Student-Training-UpTo-2020.pdf
List of Graduate Students and Post-Doctoral Fellows
Physics Review for Radiology Residents Taking the ABR Exam
National Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center
Nuclear Medicine Physics Imaging Laboratory
Healthcare Delivery and Population Sciences at UMass Chan - Baystate
Emergency Medicine at UMass Chan - Lahey
Sourbha S Dani MD, MSc, GDCE, CCDS, FACC,FACP
Joseph D. Early Chair in Biomedical Research