Postdoctoral position in Zebrafish Hematology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
A postdoctoral position is available in “clinically directed basic research” in the field of blood clotting disorders. We are developing zebrafish models of human blood clotting disorders and have been highly successful making knockouts of coagulation factors by targeted disruption using zinc finger nucleases, TALENs, and CRISPR. Sensitized ethylnitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis and high throughput chemical suppressor screens are underway on mutants with bleeding and thrombotic phenotypes. This strategy will identify genetic and chemical modifiers of clotting phenotypes, and once characterized they will be examined in murine models and patient populations.
Background: Patients with deficiencies of particular blood coagulation factors are often labeled with bleeding or clotting disorders, yet often have no phenotype. On the other hand there are patients with phenotypes out of proportion to their laboratory clotting factor profile. Thus we are often unable to predict an individual patient's risk with any useful degree of accuracy. Our goal is the identification of genes that modify blood clotting factors and their phenotypic expression. Knowledge of such modifier genes will improve diagnosis and classification of blood coagulation disorders, identify potential targets for therapy, and further our understanding of the underlying biology of hemostasis and thrombosis.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Characterization of mutants from current panel of coagulation factor knockouts.
Design, construction, generation, and characterization of new targeted knockouts using CRISPR.
Design and implementation of ENU mutagenesis and small molecule screens on existing and new mutant and transgenic zebrafish lines.
Qualifications:
PhD, MD or equivalent with research experience preferably in molecular biology, genetics, developmental biology, biochemistry, chemistry or related health field.
Working knowledge of the principles of molecular biology preferred.
Prior zebrafish and/or blood coagulation research experience are beneficial but not required.
Please send a cover letter, CV/resume, and reference contact information to Jordan Shavit (jshavit@umich.edu). For more information see http://www.shavitlab.com/