1. Mechanisms of cancer stem cell (CSC) progression and metastasis.

Description: Effective April 2007, postdoctoral and doctoral positions available for highly motivated and creative individuals interested in investigating how pancreatic cancer stem cells (CD44+/CD24+/ESA+) cells migrate and metastasize. Projects will involve: I. molecular characterization of the signal transduction mechanisms (e.g. Kras, ERK, p130CAS/Crk/Rac) that target the actin-myosin cytoskeleton of invasive CSCs using contemporary genetic, proteomic, and microscopic methodologies combined with in vitro and in vivo assays of cancer invasion. II. investigation of the in vivo mechanisms of CSC- mediated vascular remodeling, intravasation, and cancer progression using novel transgenic animal models of pancreatic cancer combined with high resolution 3-D confocal and 2-photon microscopy.

Requirements:

Project I. A Ph.D. or MD degree with strong cell culture, protein analysis, and molecular biology skills are essential. Previous experience with signal transduction, proteomics, lentiviral systems, time- lapse imaging, and confocal microscopy is desirable.

Project II. A Ph.D. or MD degree with a strong background in animal models of cancer and confocal microscopy is essential. Previous experience in pancreatic cancer metastasis, angiogenesis, and stem cell biology is desirable.

Salary and benefits commensurate with experience. Please send curriculum vitae and a brief statement of research and career goals to rklemke@ucsd.edu.

2. Spatiotemporal signaling mechanisms of cell migration and invasion.

Description: Effective April 2007, a postdoctoral position is available to investigate how cytoskeletal signaling through the Ras/ERK and src/p130CAS/Crk/Rac pathways control cell shape change leading to cell polarization and migration on extracellular matrix proteins. Projects will involve: I. Investigation of the upstream and downstream mechanisms that facilitate gradient sensing leading to the spatial and temporal organization of Ras/ERK and src/p130CAS/Crk/Rac signaling at the leading front (pseudopodium) of migrating cells. This project involves the use protein biochemical methods for the purification of the pseudopodium and signal transduction analysis as well as GFP and confocal microscopy methodologies. II. Investigation of novel phosphoproteins and signaling networks that control cell migration. This project involves the use of large-scale proteomic, phosphoproteomic, and bioinformatics methodologies to identify novel proteins and map signaling networks that control cell polarization and migration. Several important new kinases, novel phosphorylation sites, and signaling modules have been uncovered using this powerful approach and are ready for functional testing using siRNA knockdown, cell-based assays of cell migration, and molecular genetics.

Requirements:

Project I. A Ph.D. or MD degree with strong cell culture, protein analysis, and molecular biology skills is essential. Previous experience with signal transduction, lentiviral systems, time-lapse imaging, and confocal microscopy is desirable.

Project II. A Ph.D. or MD degree with strong skills in protein analysis, proteomics, and bioinformatics is essential. Previous experience with mass spectrometry, computational biology, and biostatistics is desirable.

Salary and benefits commensurate with experience. Please send curriculum vitae and a brief statement of research and career goals to rklemke@ucsd.edu.