MARC FACCIOTTI

POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN SYSTEMS BIOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS
A postdoctoral position is available for a highly motivated candidate with experience in experimental biology relevant to systems biology. The laboratory is directly associated with both the UC Davis Genome Center and Department of Biomedical Engineering two highly interdisciplinary units on the Davis campus and is focused on solving key challenges in systems biology using microbial systems.  Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required as candidates will be encouraged to work collaboratively. Candidates will also be strongly encouraged to seek external funding during their first year in the form of fellowships and/or private foundation awards. Interested parties should submit the following in PDF format: a letter of inquiry, a CV, and a brief summary of current research and future research interests to Dr. Marc Facciotti <mailto:mtfacciotti@ucdavis.edu> .  Please limit the research summary to 2 pages. Applicants are also asked to submit the names and contact information of at least 2 references.

SCOTT I. SIMON

SIMON LAB

SRA III

POSITION DESCRIPTION
50% A. Human subjects recruitment and sample collection: Weekly duties include enrolling human subjects according to IRB approved protocols, supervising approved meals, blood draws and sample processing for blood components.

20% B. Perform mammalian cell culture: Daily duties include routine tissue culture techniques, making media, maintenance of cell lines, monitoring cell growth and function, microscopy, setting-up experiments for RNA/DNA/protein analysis.

20% C. Molecular protocols: Daily duties include performing routine molecular biology protocols such as RNA isolation and characterization, cDNA synthesis, real time PCR, primer design, etc. Make buffers and reagents as necessary.

10% D. General laboratory maintenance: Daily as needed--perform ordering and restocking of laboratory supplies, maintain stock solutions for the laboratory, sterilize equipment and consumables, maintain laboratory records.

Atherosclerosis is characterized by the formation of lipid-rich plaques within the vascular wall of large arteries. Diets high in saturated fat are linked to arterial plaque formation through adsorption of low density lipoproteins; less well known are the precise mechanisms by which repetitive exposure of endothelium to these fats after eating (postprandially) initiates and indeed amplifies the endothelial inflammatory response. Very little is known about the cooperative mechanisms of signaling molecules that control the overall efficiency of monocyte capture, activation, and emigration on endothelium chronically exposed to triglyceride rich lipoproteins (TGRL). We have recently been funded to pursue the hypothesis that repetitive exposure of endothelium to TGRL during the postprandial state amplifies the endothelium's response to inflammatory cytokines, and that the response is heightened in patients with metabolic syndrome. We propose a bioengineering systems approach to design and fabricate microfluidic-based models of vascular tissue (vascular mimetics) to identify a set of biomarkers and validate their importance in assessing leukocyte-endothelial interactions in early artherogenesis.Specific duties will include enrolling human subjects recruitment and supervising approved meals, blood draws and sample processing for blood components.Daily duties include routine tissue culture techniques, monitoring cell growth and function, microscopy, RNA/DNA/protein analysis. The position is guaranteed for one year at the Research Scientist level commensurate with experience. Salary and benefits are competitive with other Universities.

SUBHADIP RAYCHAUDHURI

GRADUATE STUDENTS AND POSTDOCS