Job date: 2016-04-21
End Date:
Company : Institut of Molecular Biology (IMB) Country : Role : Postdoc
Epigenomics of cell-fate specification during development
Description:
Cellular differentiation refers to acquisition of specific cell-fates during development. It has become evident that this process involves genomewide reprogramming of epigenetic modifications such as histone marks resulting in transcriptional changes that drives cell-fate. Building on our expertise in epigenomics and gene regulation, we aim to investigate function of certain novel chromatin regulators and transcription factors in mediating epigenome and transcriptome reprogramming during lineage commitment and terminal differentiation. In particular, we will focus on following key questions:
• Does cell-fate specification into three lineages (ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm) involve different epigenetic regulators? (Objective 1). Using next generation sequencing, global transcriptome (RNA-seq) and epigenome (ChIP-seq) profiling of representative tissue types of each lineage will be performed and the data will be processed to identify lineage-specific patterns.
• Do changes in chromatin signature alter lineage-specification? (Objective 2). To address this, we will analyze embryonic stem cells lacking enzymes that deposit certain histone marks for defects in their differentiated capacity into different lineages via transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq) and genomewide analysis for alternations in associated histone modifications (ChIP-seq). A number of key observations will further be validated in vivo.
• Could we use epigenomics data to generate predictive models of cell-fate determination? (Objective 3). Towards this, we will employ computational modeling on the datasets derived in objective 1 and 2 to derive basic principles of how various epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the gene regulatory network that drives specification of distinct cell-fates during development.
Given many untouched avenues in these fields, our research is confident to make novel discoveries on fundamental principles underlying cell-fate decisions that will be interesting for scientists engaged in basic as well as translational research.We offer • The possibility to work on a cutting-edge project using state-of-the-art technology in a highly motivated research team • A stimulating, diverse and international research environment • Advanced training opportunities • A competitive stipend
Required qualifications • Master or Diploma • Motivation to solve complex biological problems • Excellent communication skills
Starting date: 1 September 2016 or later Duration of stipend: 3 years, with the possibility of extension Deadline for applications (exclusively online via web form): 1 May 2016
Requeriments :
Skills :
Areas :
Additional Info:
[Click Here to Access the Original Job Post]