We are looking for 2 competitive candidates to apply for the Juan de la Cierva - Training 2023 postdoctoral fellowships at the Gene Regulatory Control in Disease Laboratory at the Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS)/Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
Using both experimental and computational approaches, our lab aims to deconstruct the mechanistic basis for the control of gene expression in pathological and developmental contexts at the level of individual genes to whole genomes. The lab investigates multiple aspects of gene expression control, including transcriptional, translational and post-translational control mechanisms, with a particular focus on nervous disorders, liver disease and cancer. Successful candidates will join a multidisciplinary team of computational, molecular and cell biologists.
The laboratory is funded by grants from the European Commission (ERC Consolidator), the Knowledge Generation Programme of the Spanish Ministry of Science, and grants from the Xunta de Galicia and private foundations.
Position 1: Under the direction of Dr Ashwin Woodhoo, the candidate will focus on projects related to Schwann cell biology, ranging from axonal myelination to the response of Schwann cells to pathological conditions, including nerve injury, genetic disorders, immune cell attack and microbial infections.
Position 2: Under the direction of Dr Marta Varela Rey, the candidate will investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic cellular responses to chronic liver diseases of various aetiologies, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), drugs and cholestatic disease, as well as the hepatic regenerative response after liver resection.
Relevant publications of the group:
1. Capelo-Diz, A, …, Woodhoo A, Martinez-Chantar M* & Varela-Rey M* (2023). Hepatic levels of S-adenosylmethionine regulate the adaptive response to fasting. Cell Metabolism (in press) (* Senior Author).
2. Gonzalez-Rellan MJ, …, Woodhoo A,… Nogueiras R. (2023). Neddylation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 controls glucose metabolism. Cell Metabolism (in press).
3. Palomo-Irigoyen, M. Perez,…Varela-Rey, M*. and, A. Woodhoo* (2020). RNA-binding protein HuR/ELAVL1 drives malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour growth and metastasis. Journal of Clinical Investigation. Jul 1;130(7):3848-3864.
4. Varela-Rey, …, A. Woodhoo*. 2014. S-adenosylmethionine levels regulate the schwann cell DNA methylome. Neuron. 81:1024-1039.
5. Woodhoo, A., …, K.R. Jessen. 2009. Notch controls embryonic Schwann cell differentiation, postnatal myelination and adult plasticity. Nature neuroscience. 12:839-847.
6. Goikoetxea-Usandizaga, N;…;Varela-Rey M*. & Martinez-Chantar, Maria Luz*. Mitochondrial bioenergetics boost macrophages activation promoting liver regeneration in metabolically compromised animals. Hepatology. 2022 Mar;75(3):550-566. (IF: 17.42).
REQUIREMENTS:
- Be eligible to apply for the grant.
- Date of PhD: 01/01/2022 - 31/12/2023.
- Have published 2 or more articles in international journals included in JCR/PubMed, at least 2 of them as lead author (first, co-first or last in the list of authors).
- Motivation for research, ability to integrate in multidisciplinary teams, strong comprehension and communication skills in English.
Those interested are kindly requested to send by e-mail (ashwin.woodhoo@usc.es and martavarela.rey@usc.es) before 15 January 2024: academic record, CV and motivation letter (indicate in the subject REF: Juan de la Cierva 2023 - Training).