POSTDOCTORAL OPPORTUNITIES: ENHANCING CRISPR GENE EDITING IN SOMATIC TISSUES BY CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF GUIDES AND DONORS

　　The Khvorova, Sontheimer, Watts and Wolfe laboratories at UMass Medical School seek to recruit multiple postdoctoral fellows to develop new delivery strategies to enable Cas9- and Cas12a-based genome editing in somatic cells. This collaborative project is associated with the NIH Common Fund Somatic Cell Genome Editing program (https://commonfund.nih.gov/editing) and is focused on the use of chemically modified nucleic acids to promote the precise, targeted editing of specific cells/tissues in vivo (see description at https://projectreporter.nih.gov/project_info_description.cfm?aid=9677989&icde=41530867&ddparam=&ddvalue=&ddsub=&cr=3&csb=default&cs=ASC&pball).

　　Our collaborative efforts will focus on:

　　1) The development of new guide RNA compositions to facilitate delivery of Cas9 and Cas12a to somatic cells

　　2) The development of chemically stabilized donor DNAs for improved efficacy of homology-directed repair

　　3) The development of new nuclease platforms with improved delivery and precision properties

　　These studies will expose the successful candidates to new nucleic acid chemical modification strategies, cutting-edge CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cas12a nuclease technologies, and in vitro and in vivo delivery approaches. The successful candidates will also learn deep-sequencing approaches to monitor genome modification and nuclease precision. In addition, the successful candidates will be involved in meetings/conferences associated with the NIH Somatic Cell Genome Editing Project, which will broaden their exposure to the latest research within the field. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in biology, biochemistry, chemistry or a related biomedical science. In addition, the potential candidate must have strong oral and written communication skills and be eager to present research results at national meetings. Prior experience with nucleic acid synthesis, CRISPR-Cas nuclease platforms, cell culture, and deep-sequencing technologies is advantageous, but not required.

　　Applicants should send a letter (via email) describing their current research activities and their interest in this position, a CV (including publications), and contact information for three references, including the Ph.D. advisor.

　　Address letters to Erik Sontheimer (erik.sontheimer@umassmed.edu), Anastasia Khvorova (anastasia.khvorova@umassmed.edu), Jon Watts (jonathan.watts@umassmed.edu), or Scot Wolfe (scot.wolfe@umassmed.edu).

　　RNA Therapeutics Institute

　　University of Massachusetts Medical School

　　Worcester, MA 01605

　　U.S.A.

　　See these links for further details about the Khvorova Laboratory (https://www.umassmed.edu/khvorovalab/); Sontheimer Laboratory (https://www.umassmed.edu/sontheimerlab/); Watts laboratory (https://www.umassmed.edu/wattslab/); Wolfe laboratory (https://www.umassmed.edu/Wolfe-Lab/)

　　UMass Medical School is committed to being an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and recognizes the power of a diverse community. We encourage applications from protected veterans, individuals with disabilities and those with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds to consider UMass Medical School as their employer of choice.

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