Postdoctoral Scientist, Department of Biological
Sciences,
Origins
and Evolution of the Adaptive Immune System
A position as a postdoctoral scientist is available in the Department of Biological Sciences. The project is centered an investigation of the 185/333 gene family that is expressed in the coelomocytes, or immune cells, of the purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (see Nair et al., 2005). Optimal alignments of the 185/333 messages require insertions of gaps, which define 25 blocks of sequence called elements, and suggest significant alternative splicing. Additional sequence diversity is evident from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and small insertions and deletions (indels). Optimal alignments of the genes are similar to the message alignments, also showing the presence/absence of elements, SNPs and indels. However, structure of the genes show two exons, one of which encodes the protein leader and the other encodes remainder of the protein. Although there is a single intron, none are present between between all the elements, which does not support the notion of significant alternative splicing of the messages. Comparisons among the gene sequences indicate that the elements have been scrambled, although the mechanism for this is not known. The project will involve analysis of the locus to understand “element scrambling” among the members of this large family, which number more than 100 closely linked genes. Immunological function is implied from gene expression in response to bacteria (Rast et al., 2000) and lipopolysaccharide (Nair et al., 2005) plus protein appearance on the surfaces of a subset of coelomocytes. Results from this study are expected to have a significant impact on our understanding of mechanisms for immune diversification that function in this deuterostome invertebrate.
The position is available for two years starting immediately. Some teaching/lecturing duties will be required (to be mentored by the PI) through participation in classes such as Cell Biology, Immunology, Molecular Biology or Bioinformatics. A completed Ph.D. and experience in molecular biology are required. Interest or background in immunology and marine invertebrates along with experience in bioinformatic analysis of genomes is a significant plus. Applicants with a tenured or tenure-track position are not eligible.
The
Department of Biological Sciences (www.gwu.edu/~biology) is located in Lisner
and Bell Halls on the campus of
Applicants should submit either by regular mail or email, a cover letter, a resume including a list of publications, a description of technological expertise (both molecular and cell biology and computer-based or bioinformatic analysis), start date availability, and a list of colleagues or mentors, including phone and email, who have agreed to submit a recommendation. Review of applications will begin as soon as possible and will continue until the position is filled.
L. Courtney Smith, Ph.D.
Department of Biological Sciences
340 Lisner Hall
csmith@gwu.edu
The