Postdoctoral positions in neurobiology are available to worldwide
applicants.
TRPC channels are a group of calcium-influx channels stimulated by
G-proteins coupled receptors or receptor tyrosine kinases. Most of them are
highly enriched in the brain. Some of their relatives play important
physiological roles in the PNS, such as the "hot receptor" VR1/TRPV1 and the
"cold receptor" TRPM8. Nevertheless, the CNS TRPC channels remain puzzles
in terms of their physiological functions. Recent studies imply that TRPCs
might be involved in some neurodegeneration diseases, including Alzheimer's,
SCA1 and HDL2, but the cellular mechanisms are unknown. Currently, we have
been using cultured neurons and cell lines to study the neuronal functions
of the TRPC channels, and in doing so try to understand why malfunction of
TRPC channels leads to neuron degeneration.
In addition, we are using both forward and reverse genetics to study
neurophysiological problems in the fly. In the forward direction, we are
screening and analyzing mutant genes regulating the membrane excitation in
the fly photoreceptor neurons. In the reverse direction, we are going to
delete the fly homologs of several human neurodegeneration disease genes,
and create fly models for those diseases.
Applicants should have strong experience in genetics, molecular biology or
cell biology. Please contact Hong-Sheng.Li at umassmed.edu for application or
for more information.
...............................
Hong-Sheng Li, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Neurobiology
Univ. Mass. Medical School
364 Plantation Street, LRB 722
Worcester, MA 01655
Tel: (508) 856-6702
Fax: (508) 856-6070
---
