Dedicated, versatile scientist to assist in basic and translational (drug discovery or gene therapy) projects by carrying out preparation and characterization of muscle proteins (recombinantly expressed or isolated from muscle tissue), and assays based on radionuclide and fluorescence readouts, in order to understand how therapeutic agent candidates affect structural and functional molecular mechanisms in heart and skeletal muscle.
30% PROTEIN PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION Isolate membrane proteins from porcine and/or rabbit muscle tissue. Conduct site-directed mutagenesis, recombinant protein expression, and column chromatography purification. Label proteins with fluorescent probes. Analyze preparations by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Perform protein determination procedures. Lead and coordinate protein preparations.
30% FUNCTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL ASSAYS Carry out radionuclide binding (tritium-labeled drug-like ligands) and fluorescence assays to assess the correlations of ligand binding and protein-protein interactions. Optimize and trouble-shoot assay protocols. Employee will receive training in state-of-the-art technology in both absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy using high-density microplate arrays, as well as computational and statistical analysis.
25% MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND CELL CULTURE Recombinant DNA work to create plasmids used for expression of fluorescently labeled proteins in HEK cells. Maintain various cell lines. Perform regular quality control tests on cultures and inventory of cell banks.
15% LABORATORY MAINTENANCE, REPORTS, AND MEETINGS Preparation of buffers and inventory lists. Perform maintenance of laboratory equipment. Supervise and train undergraduate student workers. Conduct literature surveys and reviews. Present research at lab group meetings and weekly/monthly small group meetings.
All required qualifications must be documented on application materials.
Required Qualifications:
BA/BS in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field and one year of research laboratory experience, or a combination of education and work to equal five years. Laboratory experience with common biochemical and microbiological techniques such as 96-well (or higher density) microplate assays, mutagenesis, nucleotide sequence analysis, and/or protein purification. Ability to carry out research protocols from written or oral instruction by supervisor.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with mutagenic primer design and nucleotide sequence analysis, protein purification from tissue or recombinant expression systems, column chromatography, and enzyme activity assays. Experience with radiation-based assays highly preferred. Experience with HEK cells and flow cytometry. Experience with protein purification from tissue or recombinant expression systems, and column chromatography. Experience in molecular biology, cell culture, and fluorescence microscopy. Ability to lift at least 40 lb and carry over a distance of up to 30 ft .
Internal Number: 337055
About University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.
