Training in Biomedical Sciences

Postdoctoral Position

Post date -- November 15, 2021

Description: A postdoctoral position to study the roles of extracellular vesicles and cytokines in biology, immunology and immunotherapy of solid tumors utilizing genetic, biochemical, and molecular approaches (for example, see Katlinskaya et al, 2016, Katlinski et al, 2017, Ortiz et al, 2019 and Lu et al, 2021). 

Highly motivated applicants with a recent PhD (or MD/analogue) and strong interests in the areas of tumorigenesis, immunity and inflammation and experience in molecular/cell biology and/or pathology and genetics of mouse disease models are encouraged to apply. This position is supported by NIH grants. The training process is greatly aided by a vibrant, intense and highly collaborative environment at the campus of the University of Pennsylvania and the charm of Philadelphia, one of America’s most important historical cities. 

Applying: Interested applicants should e-mail a CV, publication list and a brief description of research interests and experience to Dr. Serge Y. Fuchs, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; e-mail: syfuchs@upenn.edu

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University of Pennsylvania is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Postdoctoral Researchers

Post date -- December 23, 2021

Description: The Modzelewski Lab at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Biomedical Sciences School of Veterinary Medicine is recruiting postdoctoral researchers to join an exciting new NIH-NICHD funded project.

Our work focuses on understanding the exciting and emerging role of retrotransposons in early development (and beyond). We are currently looking at how retrotransposons impact fertility and preimplantation development in mice but with comparative biology studies using various placental mammalian species to learn about human health and reproduction.

The lab has two major but linked focuses: Developmental Biology and Genome Editing. Nearly half of all mammalian genomes originate from ancient retroviral integrations. While silenced in nearly all cells, retrotransposon reactivation is a well-known phenomenon in preimplantation embryos and the germline. Many retrotransposons have retained regulatory and structural features that can influence nearby genes. In the embryo, these events are transient and span less than a cell cycle.

A subset of these events splice with nearby protein coding genes, generating embryo and species specific “chimeric transcripts” that form hundreds of novel promoters, exons and polyadenylation sites. Disruptions made in the lab have led to arrested global protein synthesis, cell fate specification errors, stress induced arrest, fertilization failure, embryonic lethality and improper implantation that resembles human pregnancy complications (Cell 2021).

This highly collaborative project adapts proteomics, genetics, bioinformatics and CRISPR/Cas9 editing to reveal this overlooked but essential form of retrotransposons-based regulation in development, fertility, and disease. As no current cell culture system faithfully represents the preimplantation development, the majority of research at this stage must be done directly in the embryo, and sometimes animal models are necessary. Even with the advent of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, generating mouse models is cost prohibitive and largely inaccessible.

To circumvent this, I developed a highly efficient electroporationbased editing technique called CRISPR-EZ (CRISPR Electroporation of Zygotes). I showed that CRISPREZ is at least 3-4x more efficient than the gold standard of microinjection, is inexpensive, works in all species tested, and can be mastered quickly, making this technology uniquely accessible to many academic labs (JBC 2016, Nature Protocols 2018).

While small insertions and deletion strategies have been highly optimized, there is still room to improve in larger insertions, deletion and sophisticated model designs. Current efforts include the use of AAV, CRISPRa/i (activation/interference), humanized models to study conserved developmental regulatory networks.

Qualifications:

• PhD in various degrees of biological sciences as well as bioengineering, biostatistics, etc.
• We encourage applications with experience in developmental biology and/or non-coding RNA
• Previous mouse handling experience is a plus but not essential
• Ideal candidate should be highly motivated and passionate about biology, development, expecting the unexpected and not afraid to challenge assumptions.

Application Documents:

• CV or NIH BioSketch (with contact information for 2-3 references)
• Cover Letter detailing interest and experience Interested applicants are invited to submit their application documents directly to Dr. Modzelewski at amodz@upenn.edu.

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University of Pennsylvania is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Research Specialists (A/B)

Post date -- December 23, 2021

The Modzelewski Lab at the University of Pennsylvania Department of Biomedical Sciences School of Veterinary Medicine is recruiting Research Specialists (A/B) to join an exciting new NIH-NICHD funded project.

Our work focuses on understanding the exciting and emerging role of retrotransposons in early development (and beyond). We are currently looking at how retrotransposons impact fertility and preimplantation development.

The lab has two major but linked focuses: Developmental Biology and Genome Editing. Nearly half of all mammalian genomes originate from ancient retroviral integrations. While silenced in nearly all cells, retrotransposon reactivation is a well-known phenomenon in preimplantation embryos and the germline. Disruptions made in the lab have impacted fundamental biological process, leading to arrested development and implantation defects that resembles human pregnancy complications (Cell 2021). This highly collaborative project adapts proteomics, genetics, bioinformatics and CRISPR/Cas9 editing to reveal this overlooked but essential form of regulation in development, fertility, and disease.

As no current cell culture system faithfully represents the preimplantation development, the majority of research at this stage must be done directly in the embryo, and sometimes animal models are necessary. Even with CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, generating mouse models is cost prohibitive and largely inaccessible. Therefore I developed CRISPR-EZ (CRISPR Electroporation of Zygotes) and showed it at least 3-4x more efficient than the gold standard of microinjection, is inexpensive, works in all species tested, but there is still room to improve (JBC 2016, Nature Protocols 2018). Efforts include the use of AAV, CRISPRa/i (activation/interference), humanized models to study conserved regulatory networks.

Positions Available: Research Specialists will be involved in planning and conducting ongoing research. Research will involve molecular biology and biochemical characterization of retrotransposons impact in human cell lines and mouse models, with a goal to discover new therapeutic targets. They will learn and assist in laboratory experiments, with daily management of laboratory equipment, tools, documentation, and ordering of supplies for ongoing research.

At the start, they will collaborate closely with the Principle Investigator (PI) to learn techniques and experimental set-up to optimize protocols for the lab.

Specialist A (RS-A) will be responsible for the above roles, with a focus on learning research techniques to aid in ongoing projects. The position will require organizational skills with ability to efficiently multi-task.

Specialist B (RS-B) position will undertake roles as RS-A, with the additional expectation of greater laboratory experience in order to develop novel research questions for exploration in line with the Lab’s focus. This level researcher will eventually make greater contributions to the lab environment, with opportunities to share their work in collaborative settings.

Qualifications:

• B.S in biological sciences as well as bioengineering, biostatistics, etc. (3ys+ exp. for RS-B)
• Previous mouse handling experience is a plus but not essential.
• Ideal candidate should be highly motivated and passionate about biology, development, expecting the unexpected and not afraid to challenge assumptions.
• Two-year minimum commitment for RS-A. Familiarity with UPenn system is a plus!

Application Documents:

• CV or Resume (with contact information for 2-3 references)
• Brief Cover Letter detailing interest and experience (can be body of email)

Interested applicants are invited to submit their application documents here. 

Download the PDF...

University of Pennsylvania is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

Postdoctoral Position

Post date -- November 15, 2021

Description: A postdoctoral position to study the roles of extracellular vesicles and cytokines in biology, immunology and immunotherapy of solid tumors utilizing genetic, biochemical, and molecular approaches (for example, see Katlinskaya et al, 2016, Katlinski et al, 2017, Ortiz et al, 2019 and Lu et al, 2021). 

Highly motivated applicants with a recent PhD (or MD/analogue) and strong interests in the areas of tumorigenesis, immunity and inflammation and experience in molecular/cell biology and/or pathology and genetics of mouse disease models are encouraged to apply. This position is supported by NIH grants. The training process is greatly aided by a vibrant, intense and highly collaborative environment at the campus of the University of Pennsylvania and the charm of Philadelphia, one of America’s most important historical cities. 

Applying: Interested applicants should e-mail a CV, publication list and a brief description of research interests and experience to Dr. Serge Y. Fuchs, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; e-mail: syfuchs@upenn.edu

• Download the PDF...

University of Pennsylvania is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.