Postdoc in mechanisms of the O-GlcNAc posttranslational modification at University of Dundee, UK-PhD biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology-Apply

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position to work in the multidisciplinary laboratory of Daan van Aalten to elucidate fundamental mechanisms of the O-GlcNAc posttranslational modification in development and neurodegeneration. This position is funded by a prestigious 5-year Investigator Award from the Wellcome Trust. The van Aalten lab has a major interest in how O-GlcNAcylation controls protein function. We have discovered a key role of this modification in IL1 signalling (EMBO J. 2012) and Drosophila development (Open Biol. 2015), as well as understanding the modifying enzymes involved (e.g. Nat.Struct.Mol.Biol 2015) and developing potent inhibitors (e.g. Chemistry & Biology 2010). We are now using CRISPR/Cas9 and pharmacological approaches in Drosophila and in vivo models to study the mechanisms of how O-GlcNAc controls patterning of the early embryo and the nervous system, including models of neurodegeneration and recently discovered human mutations in the O-GlcNAc processing enzymes leading to neurodevelopmental disorders. The successful applicant will have access to state-of-the-art technologies in biochemistry, proteomics, genome editing, cell biology, and transgenic in vivo models/Drosophila models to uncover new fundamental knowledge on these key molecules.
You will use recently generated novel in vivo model lines to study the role of the O-GlcNAc modification in a number of models of neurodegenerative/metabolic disease.

This position is available for 18 months in the first instance. Starting date is flexible but before January 2017.

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