Postdoctoral Fellow
Required Degree(s) and Area of Specialty: Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Physiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biophysics or related field
Principal Investigator: Gail Robertson, PhD
We are seeking a postdoctoral trainee to study mechanisms of sudden cardiac death associated with acquired and inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS). Efforts focus on the hERG channel, the primary target of acquired LQTS and the basis of a toxicity screen used worldwide to ensure drugs in development do not cause catastrophic cardiac arrhythmias. We study biophysical properties of hERG channel gating and pharmacology, determinants of surface channel density, pathways of intracellular trafficking, and mechanisms of channel assembly and subunit composition, all of which are critical for cardiac repolarization and represent targets for perturbations resulting in LQTS. We use manual and high throughput patch clamp electrophysiology in heterologous expression systems, quantitative western blot analysis of expressed and native proteins, immunocytochemistry and a variety of screening methods for protein-protein interactions. Creative, highly motivated individuals with demonstrated strength in membrane protein biochemistry are particularly encouraged to apply, but applications in any relevant area will be considered. A strong quantitative background is highly desirable. Opportunities for technology development and commercial applications abound in this highly translational area of research.
Please submit applications to:
Gail Robertson, Ph.D.
Professor
Dept. of Neuroscience
Email: garobert@wisc.edu
608-265-3339