IRB Barcelona Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Positions

This new initiative aims to foster collaborations within IRB Barcelona’s research areas. Successful candidates will carry out pre-defined projects involving two of the following programmes:

• Cell and Developmental Biology
• Structural and Computational Biology
• Molecular Medicine
• Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
• Oncology

Postdocs joining IRB Barcelona under this scheme will join a stimulating world-class research environment. They will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and services and will participate in a broad range of training activities offered by the institute, including the Barcelona BioMed series of seminars, workshops and conferences.

Applicants should hold a PhD degree in a life sciences subject and a strong motivation to work in an interdisciplinary environment. Applications from biologists, chemists and structural and computational biologists are encouraged.

Fellowships will be funded initially for 2 years.

Interested candidates should send their applications, including a CV, a brief statement of experience and interests, and the names and addresses of at least two referees, directly to the Principal Investigators leading the project of their choice.

Deadline for applications: December 5, 2008

Pre-defined project proposals

Modelling Lafora Disease in Drosophila

Principal investigators: Joan J Guinovart (Molecular Medicine) and Marco Milán (Cell and Developmental Biology)

Project description: This is a collaborative project between the laboratories headed by Marco Milán and Joan J Guinovart. The latter researcher and his team have recently demonstrated that glycogen accumulation induces apoptosis in mouse neurons in culture, a process that may be at the base of the devastating Lafora disease. The present project aims to use the potential of the Drosophila melanogaster model system to study the mechanisms of regulation of neuronal glycogen metabolism, to identify novel activators or regulators, and to dissect the mechanisms that trigger the apoptotic actions of this polysaccharide. In this project, we will generate and characterize transgenic Drosophila that express active glycogen synthase in neurons in order to increase their capacity to synthesize glycogen. We are looking for a post-doctoral fellow with a strong background in molecular biology. Experience in the preparation of Drosophila mutants will be greatly appreciated.

Analysis of the modulation of mammalian inflammation by a cytokine-mimic produced by Entamoeba histolytica

Principal investigators: Antonio Celada (Molecular Medicine) and Lluís Ribas de Pouplana (Cell and Developmental Biology)

Project description: This project is collaboration between the labs of Lluís Ribas and Antonio Celada. Our aim is the analysis of the molecular interactions between proteins of the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica and the inflammatory and immune systems of the infected host. We have identified Entamoeba proteins that may act as mimmicks of human cytokines and be used by the parasite to evade or minimize the defenses of the host. We seek a motivated postdoc with previous experience in the areas of immunology, parasite-host interaction, and/or cytokine biology.

Simultaneous determination of the structure and dynamics of RNA

Principal investigators: Xavier Salvatella (Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology) and Modesto Orozco (Structural and Computational Biology)

Project description: This project is a collaboration between the labs of Xavier Salvatella and Modesto Orozco. Its aim is to characterize the dynamics of RNA molecules, that are critical for their function, by using a combination of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and molecular dynamics simulations. The candidate will develop computational methods to extract information about the amplitude of the motions of RNA at atomic resolution from NMR observables and should, therefore, have experience in molecular dynamics simulations and, ideally, in the computational aspects of NMR spectroscopy.

Control of mitotic microtubule nucleation pathways through protein phosphorylation

Principal investigators: Jens Lüders (Cell and Developmental Biology) and Carme Caelles (Molecular Medicine)

Project description: The project is a collaboration between the labs of Jens Luders and Carme Caelles. The aim is to identify phosphorylation-based regulatory mechanisms that govern the function of the gamma-tubulin complex, the main microtubule nucleator, during mitosis. Misregulated microtubule formation in mitosis can lead to defects in the assembly and function of the mitotic spindle and has implications for the development of cancer and certain developmental diseases. Candidates should have experience in cell culture techniques and in the purification and biochemical analysis of protein complexes.