Tuesday, May 22, 2012

POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS: Dr. Silvia Moreno

POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Dr. Silvia Moreno
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Position 1
Our laboratory recently discovered a novel post-Golgi compartment in Toxoplasma gondii that we named as plant-like vacuole (PLV) because of its similarities to the plant vacuole both in composition and function (Mol. Microbiol., 76:1358, 2010). We are now interested in studying the role of this organelle in the biology of the parasite. The PLV appears to be linked to the endocytic/exocytic pathway of the parasite and we think that it plays a central role during the extracellular phase of the parasite not only in resisting environmental stress but also as it prepares itself for invading the next host cell. We are interested in the role of the PLV in calcium homeostasis and other ionic stresses and also its role in sorting of protein to other important secretory organelles. We have a large number of genetic tools available to use to respond to biochemical and physiological questions. Check our web site for more information about our program.

Position 2
Our laboratory is interested in the characterization of calcium homeostasis in Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular pathogen of humans and animals. Strong evidence shows that calcium plays a critical role in T. gondii virulence and very little is known of the molecular mechanisms involved. Previous work from our laboratory characterized calcium rich acidic compartments in T. gondii and other protozoan parasites (Nature Rev. 3:251, 2005). Presently we are studying the role of extracellular calcium in parasite virulence and how acidic stores regulate calcium entry. We are specially interested in finding the molecular players involved, which appear to be different from those of mammalian cells. Our laboratory uses a variety of genetic tools and reagents available in our community to answer biochemical and physiological questions. Check our web site for more information.

The Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases (CTEGD) is an interdisciplinary center established to foster research, educational programs and service related to tropical and emerging diseases. The Center is made up of a wide range of research programs that focus on the immunology, biochemistry and molecular and cell biology of protozoan and metazoan parasites.

Athens, Georgia is an excellent place to live. It is a small college town with a vibrant downtown nightlife, excellent restaurants, nearby mountains and rivers, and a very reasonable cost of living (http://www.visitathensga.com/).

Applicants interested in joining this exciting program send a CV and names of three references to: Silvia N.J. Moreno, smoreno@uga.edu.

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