Graduate Openings
DEPARTMENT
Faculty Accepting Students and Postdocs for Research
The following Molecular Genetics and Microbiology faculty members are currently accepting new graduate students and postdoctoral scientists into their research programs.
Primary Faculty
Steeve Boulant, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Area of Study: Genetics, Immunology/Microbiology
We study how enteric viral pathogens (rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus) infect and replicate in the human gastro-intestinal tract. We aim at defining how host/enteric pathogen interactions is coordinated at the molecular level in space and time and how these complex interactions can either lead to pathology development or resolution of viral infection. Our goal is to exploit these mechanisms to develop novel antiviral therapeutic approaches and pharmacological interventions to treat inflammatory bowel diseases. We use a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular and cellular biology, state-of-the-art live single molecule imaging, bio-engineering (to simulate the physiological microenvironment) and single cell transcriptomic approaches.
Faculty Accepting Students
Boulant Laboratory
We are studying how the intestinal epithelium combats enteric pathogens.
Kotaro Fujii, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Area of Study: Genetics, Biochemistry, Neuroscience
Gene expression must be accurate in theory, however mRNA translation is surprisingly error prone with 10% of nascent proteins having at least one error. These error products could stimulate protein aggregation with a progressive deterioration of protein homeostasis across aging. We approach disruptions in protein homeostasis from a protein production standpoint to understand how error products contribute to protein aggregation and the late onset of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Our lab’s study of molecular mechanisms of translation error through cutting-edge biochemistry, molecular biology, and state-of-the-arts genomics in yeast, mouse embryonic stem cell culture, and in vivo mouse models will provide crucial insight for the development of therapies for neurodegenerative disease.
Faculty Accepting Students
Fujii Laboratory
Dr. Fujii’s research is centered on understanding gene regulation focusing on the step of mRNA translation. Our research program will unravel new layers of spatiotemporal specificity and fidelity of protein synthesis, to further understand the impact of translational regulation in development and in diseases, particularly those caused by protein aggregation such as neurodegenerative disorders.
Safder Ganaie, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Area of study: Host-pathogen interactions, Viral entry, Viral pathogenesis, CRISPR-based genome-wide screens, Antiviral therapeutics
Our lab is broadly focused on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions that govern viral entry, infection, and pathogenesis. We are particularly interested in Bunyaviruses—a diverse group of negative-sense RNA viruses that includes medically significant pathogens such as Rift Valley Fever Virus, Oropouche virus, Hantaviruses, and La Crosse encephalitis virus. By integrating CRISPR-based genome-wide screens with biochemical, biophysical, and in vivo model systems, we seek to define the pathways these viruses use to enter host cells and to dissect the complex host-virus interface. Our recent studies have identified several host factors critical for the infection of multiple bunyaviruses. These findings provide a mechanistic framework for exploring conserved entry strategies and lay the foundation for developing broad-spectrum antiviral therapeutics.
Stephanie Karst, Ph.D.
Professor; Associate Chair for Research
Area of Study: Immunology/Microbiology
My lab studies norovirus pathogenesis, with a particular emphasis on understanding how the intestinal microbiota influence viral infection and the antiviral immune response.
Faculty Accepting Students
Karst Lab
Our long-term goals are to understand norovirus pathogenesis in order to contribute to development of effective vaccines and antivirals.
Zhe Ma, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Area of Study: Genetics, Immunology/Microbiology, Cancer Biology
Approximately 15% of cancers diagnosed were attributed to carcinogenic viral infections. Upon viral infections, the host innate immune system acts as the first line of defense to prevent viral invasion or replication, while viruses also strive for survival by repressing innate immune signaling. By further understanding how innate immunity is regulated by tumor viruses, our lab aims to dissect the interactions between innate immune responses and viral tumor development. Our long-term goal is to identify potential targets and strategies for viral cancer treatment. Utilizing molecular biology as well as bioinformatics tools, our lab seeks to extend our knowledge of how viral proteins regulate the cGAS-STING pathway and how to develop potential KSHV cancer therapy by targeting these viral proteins.
Faculty Accepting Students
The Ma Laboratory
We aim to dissect the interactions between innate immune responses and viral tumor development. Our long term goal is to identify potential targets and strategies for viral cancer treatment.
Lauren M McIntyre, Ph.D.
Professor
Area of Study: Genetics
In order to better understand complex phenotypes, Dr. McIntyre is developing a systems approach to the statistical analysis of genomic, proteomic, and other “omic” data. The program is computational and highly collaborative with experimental groups with expertise in Drosophila, Staphylococcus aureus, and diabetes. We seek to answer fundamental questions about how genetic variation influences variation in phenotype.
Laura P W Ranum, Ph.D.
Kitzman Family Professor Of Molecular Genetics And Microbiology; Director Center For NeuroGenetics
Area of Study: Genetics, Neuroscience
We use gene discovery and mouse models to understand the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. In 2011 we discovered a novel form of protein translation in which repeat expansion mutations express proteins in all three reading frames without the canonical AUG start codon. These repeat associated non-ATG (RAN) proteins have now been reported in a growing number of neurological diseases and we are focused on understanding the mechanisms of RAN translation and developing therapeutic strategies to target these toxic proteins as a therapeutic strategy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myotonic dystrophy, spinocerebellar ataxia and other repeat expansion disorders.
Megan L Stanifer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Area of Study: Genetics, Immunology/Microbiology, Molecular and Cell Biology
In the Stanifer lab, we evaluate how the mucosal surfaces such as the intestinal and respiratory tracts elicit an antiviral response. We use single cell sequencing, live cell microscopy and primary human organoid cultures to monitor virus infection and the induction of the intrinsic innate immune response. We have found that each cell type in these surfaces have unique antiviral programs and we are working to unraveling the molecular mechanisms leading to these differences.
Faculty Accepting Students
Stanifer Lab
We are interested in how human epithelial cells protect themselves from invading pathogens. We are particularly interested in the role that type III interferons play in these surfaces to protect and combat virus infection.
Eric Wang, Ph.D.
Professor
Area of Study: Genetics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, & Genetics and Genomics
We use molecular, cellular, computational, and imaging-based approaches to 1) understand molecular mechanisms of repeat expansion diseases, 2) elucidate basic mechanisms underlying RNA processing & localization, and 3) develop therapeutic approaches. We specifically focus on myotonic dystrophy, and study how molecular changes in muscle, heart, and brain tissues lead to disease symptoms, such as muscle weakness, hypersomnolence, and circadian disruption. RNA processing and RNA transport are disrupted in multiple repeat expansion diseases, and thus we study how these fundamental processes are regulated in various contexts. Finally, we incorporate basic insights we make into gene therapy, oligo-based, and small molecule-based therapeutic strategies aimed at treating human disease.
Faculty Accepting Students
Eric T. Wang Laboratory
We are studying multiple aspects of RNA and are interested in how its dysregulation plays a role in repeat expansion diseases.
Joint Faculty
Henry S Heine, Ph.D.
Program Director & Res Associate Professor
Area of Study: Immunology/Microbiology, Biochemistry
Use of animal model systems for evaluation of therapeutics against potential biowarfare/bioterrorism bacterial pathogens to include, B. anthracis, Y. pestis, F. tularensis Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei.
Faculty Accepting Students
Biodefense/Bioterrorism Therapeutic Countermeasures Laboratory
The primary objectives of the BBTC laboratory are to identify antibiotics and therapeutics to successfully treat patients exposed to agents of potential Bioterrorism/Biowarfare.
Borna Mehrad, M.D.
Program Director & Res Associate Professor
Area of Study: Immunology/Microbiology
Our lab studies mechanisms of lung immune response and repair in the context of infectious and non-infectious injury.
Faculty Accepting Students
Mehrad Lab
We are studying the mechanisms of lung host defense, injury, and repair in the context of disease.