How stem cells contribute to tissues during growth and regeneration remains largely unknown in vertebrates. Skeletal muscle provides an excellent paradigm to investigate this issue since powerful transcription factors that play important roles in specifying and determining skeletal muscle identity have been identified. The Tajbakhsh lab has a wide range of genetically modified mice and has been investigating this question in the context of developmental and regenerative biology.

Project: Mechanisms regulating asymmetric and symmetric cells divisions in adult muscle stem cells in the mouse. This project follows from previous work in the laboratory demonstrating asymmetric segregation ofDNA strands to daughter cells, and direct association of this phenomenon with daughter cell fates (Nature Cell Biology 2006, Nature Reviews Molecular Cellular Biology, 2009; Cell, 2012).

Funding: ERC Advanced Grant. Funding is available for the postdoctoral position for 3 years with the possibility of an extension. Applicants willing to apply for their own independent funding, however, are encouraged to do so.

Requirements: A doctoral degree, strong experience in cellular and molecular biology and microscopy. Proficiency in English is required. Outstanding, highly motivated candidates who are creative minded and independent are encouraged to apply.

Application process: Please send one PDF file to shaht@pasteur.fr with the following:
- cover letter
- concise summary of previous research activities
- curriculum vitae including the publication list and contact details for 2 referees

Prof. Shahragim Tajbakhsh
Stem Cells and Development
Dept. of Developmental & Stem Cell Biology

Pasteur Institute
25 rue du Dr. Roux
75015, Paris, FRANCE
E-mail: shaht@pasteur.fr

This postdoctoral fellowship aims to investigate whether certain features of DM1 are related to integrated proteostasis stress in cells where the (CTG)n repeat is expressed, most notably in muscle cells. New human myoblast/myotube cultures will be generated via advanced genome-editing strategies. Together with existing models, these new cell models will be used for (i) comparative profiling of activity of proteostasis systems (chaperones, autophagy, UPS, etc.) and (ii) recording of activities of stress response pathways and cytokine production and their effects on cell stasis. Ultimately, this project will provide detailed insight in proteostasis and cell stasis control in DM1 muscle and help design new modalities for therapeutic intervention for this devastating disease.

 

Applicants are required to have a PhD degree, ≥3-4 publications on experimental studies in the domain of molecular life sciences, a strong background in molecular biology/molecular cell biology and/or biochemistry, extensive experience in cell culture, reverse genetics, molecular-cellular analyses and microscopy procedures. A high level of proficiency in English is required and knowledge of the Dutch language would be an asset.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine invites applications for two full-time tenure track faculty positions at the Assistant Professor level to begin July 1, 2013.

 

The successful applicants must have a PhD or equivalent degree and a minimum two years post-doctoral experience, and will be expected to develop a sustainable research program. A research interest related to chronic disorders of aging such as muscular/skeletal degenerative diseases, neurological degenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, obesity or cancer will be particularly advantageous.The successful applicants will be expected to teach medical students and masters level students in the areas of Physiology, Pharmacology and/or Biochemistry as part of an integrated basic science curriculum.

 

Candidates should submit their curriculum vitae, letter of interest, and names and addresses of three references, preferably from current or former supervisors to:

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Department of Human Resources
4190 City Avenue, Suite 144
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Fax (215) 871-6506
Email: hr(a)pcom.edu

An opening is available for a postdoctoral fellow to study human skeletal muscle stem cell biology in the Pomerantz laboratory at the University of California, San Francisco. This lab’s research focuses on basic mechanisms of tissue regeneration with a long-term view towards clinical application. The new postdoctoral fellow will join their efforts in translational muscle stem cell research. The postdoctoral fellow will benefit from exposure to a multidisciplinary, supportive, energetic and creative environment that is grounded in strong basic science while capitalizing on close clinical connections to address unmet clinical needs.

 

Candidates must have a PhD and/or MD or equivalent degree and have training and experience in cell and molecular biology. To be an effective member of the team, a candidate must be collegial and have good communication skills; be self-motivated and energetic. Solid microscopy and basic molecular biology skills, and experience working with rodents are required, as is an interest in skeletal muscle stem cell biology. The ideal candidate will have expertise in flow cytometry.

 

Please apply by sending a cover letter, reference contacts and CV to jason.pomerantz(a)ucsfmedctr.org

 

A postdoctoral position is available from January 2013 (open until filled) in the team of Dr. Sophie Polo at the Epigenetics and Cell Fate Centre in Paris.
The position is initially for 2.5 years, funded by the French National Research Agency.

 

Project description
Our research work focuses on the mechanisms underlying chromatin dynamics in response to genotoxic stress using cultured mammalian cells as a model system. By combining molecular and cellular approaches with advanced microscopy techniques, our aim is to identify factors involved in regulating chromatin dynamics and their functional relevance for the maintenance of genome and epigenome integrity in response to DNA damage.

We are currently offering two postdoctoral positions to undertake research on the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in muscle dystrophy caused by mutations in dysferlin. The project has an integrated view of a health problem, and involves interaction with both clinicians and basic scientists.

Successful candidates must hold a PhD degree in the fields of biology or biomedicine, obtained within the last 4 years. Prior knowledge of molecular and cellular biology of skeletal muscle cell is highly desirable, as well as an adequate command of the English language. Good organizational and team work skills are also required.

 

The two positions entail work in the following areas:
1.-­‐ Role of dysferlin, and the impact of dysferlin mutations on DHP receptors and Ca2+ signaling (Drs. Caviedes, Bevilacqua. Univ. of Chile)
The position requires expertise in cell culture, transfection techniques, immunoblotting, use of fluorophores to study intracellular Ca2+ signaling, and patch clamp techniques.

2.-­‐ Role of dysferlin and/or dynamin-­‐2, and the impact of protein mutations, on cortical actin dynamics and vesicle trafficking (Dr. Cárdenas, Univ. of Valparaíso).
The position requires expertise in cell culture, transfection techniques, and fluorescent microscopy techniques. Expertise in TIRF microscopy is highly desirable.

 

The main focus of the research group is the characterization of the molecular mechanisms underlying the adaptations of skeletal muscle to exercise and disease. The function of PGC-1alpha, a transcriptional coactivator, in regulating gene expression in muscle is studied. In this lab, in vitro approaches (biochemistry, molecular biology) are combined with cell culture (cell lines, primary muscle cells) and the results are validated in mouse models in vivo. In particular, the transcriptional adaptations of skeletal muscle to external and internal stimuli and the resulting effects on systemic physiology are being studied. For this purpose, transgenic mouse models as well as a large range of state-of-the-art mouse phenotyping instruments are available.

Requirements: Applicants should have a PhD or MD/PhD degree with a background in molecular and cell biology. Moreover, strong experience in experimental work on metabolism, mouse physiology, skeletal muscle biology, transcriptional regulation, systems approaches or bioinformatics is ideal. Selection will furthermore be based on the educational background, motivation, independence and creativity. Knowledge of English is required, German a plus.

To apply: Please send your CV including a list of publications, statement of research interests and 2-3 letters of recommendation by email to christoph.handschin(a)unibas.ch.

Review of applications will begin on January 1, 2013 , and will continue until the position is filled. Starting date by arrangement. Salary according to institutional guidelines.

The laboratory is located in the Cardiovascular Center. The lab’s main research interest is in the area of cardiomyopathy and heart failure. A major interest is in studying the dystrophic cardiomyopathy, the type of cardiac dysfunction that develops in Becker and Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. For this project, a combination of clinical and bench research are used to explore the underlying pathological mechanisms. Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes are used as a model system to study the aberrant signaling pathways and mitochondrial dysfunction responsible for cardiomyocyte dysfunction. The approaches used in the laboratory include stem cell culture and associated methods, confocal microscopy, live cell imaging, flow cytometry, proteomics, quantitative RT-PCR.

The candidate must be a highly self-motivated individual with a PhD in molecular or cellular biology or related field with a passion in research. The candidate should be able to design and execute laboratory experiments specific to the aims of research and troubleshoot assays and customize experimental tools to answer research questions.
Salary and benefits are very competitive and commensurate with experience. 
If interested, please submit a cover letter, C.V. and the names of three references to 
Dr. Jennifer Strande at jstrande(a)mcw.edu

A Postdoctoral position is available for a highly motivated individual in the group of Dr. Fabio Demontis. The lab is located in the Division of Developmental Biology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. They use Drosophila and murine models to decipher the conserved mechanisms of muscle aging and proteostasis and how muscle-derived signals (myokines) affect lifespan and the progression of age-related diseases in other tissues (Cell. 2010 Nov 24;143(5): 813-25; Cell Metab. 2012 Jul 3;16(1):97-103; Development. 2009 Mar;136(6): 983-93).

 

In addition to a Ph.D., the candidate should have experience in molecular, biochemical and cell biological techniques. Training in muscle biology, physiology, and/or experience with murine models are preferred but not required.

 

Candidate should have the ability to work independently as well as in collaborative research efforts, and have a strong desire to make a major contribution to the field of aging. The fellow will benefit from both the outstanding research facilities and the highly collaborative St. Jude Community.

 

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital offers an excellent salary and benefits package and is an equal opportunity employer. Interested applicants should reference job 30936 on all correspondence and apply online at www.stjude.org/AP/position_list. Then send a CV, cover letter describing research experience and interests, and the names and addresses of three references to:

fdemontis(a)genetics.med.harvard.edu