The RNA Transcript | June 12, 2023 | |
U-M RNA Innovation Seminar | | |
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RNA Plasticity in Neuronal Health & Disease
Junjie Guo, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Neuroscience
Yale University School of Medicine
Monday June 19, 2023
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
BSRB ABC Seminar Rooms, Zoom
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RNA Collaborative Seminar | |
Lexogen RNA Expertise Blog Series | | |
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We are happy to introduce you to the LEXOGEN RNA EXPERTISE blog series, in which we will talk about various topics from the world of RNA and RNA-Seq, focusing on best practices, exciting applications, and more.
Inspired by the RNA journal's April 2023 special edition, we dedicate our newest blog post to RNA therapeutics.
RNA Therapeutics: The Future is Bright
RNA therapeutics are a rapidly expanding category of drugs based on RNA molecules aimed at treating or preventing diseases. Recent clinical success and primarily the breakthrough of a series of fast-tracked and effective messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines helping to conquer the COVID-19 pandemic did not only make “RNA” a household name but also reignited and propelled research interest in RNA therapeutics.
This blog article will discuss the advantages of RNA therapeutics, concepts, and modes of action of different classes of RNA-based therapeutics. We will also give a glimpse into the RNA therapeutics currently being evaluated in clinical trials or having received approval.
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Postdoctoral Position - Maquat Lab | | |
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A postdoctoral position is open in the Maquat Lab at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY. Applicants should hold a PhD or MD/PhD degree(s) and have expertise in molecular, cellular, or structural biology to study one of a number of very exciting and ongoing projects, including but not limited to FMRP function in Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), newly defined effectors of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, or the mechanistic coupling of transcription and RNA processing on chromatin and beyond. A background in neurobiology and/or stem-cell biology would facilitate the work on FXS (see, e.g., https://www.nature.com/articles/s41556-020-00618-1), and a background in computational biology would facilitate all projects, but neither is required.
Interested individuals should submit:
- A complete curriculum vitae
- The names and email addresses of three references (applicants should state their relationship to each)
- A description of RNA research experience, including experimental approaches and technologies with which the applicant has experience.
The successful applicant will join a very productive, interactive lab and a lively, supportive RNA community that consists of more than 25 labs spanning the University of Rochester Medical Center and the adjacent Colleges of Arts, Sciences & Engineering. The Maquat lab offers an outstanding research environment, excellent opportunities to collaborate with basic scientists and clinicians, and a strong record of training postdocs for academic positions.
Please submit applications to: Liz at elizabeth_leverenz@urmc.rochester.edu
Maquat Lab: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/Maquat-Lab/
Center for RNA Biology: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/rna-biology/
The University of Rochester is committed to diversity and equality in education and employment. EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled.
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Research Assistant - Interdict Bio | | |
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Interdict Bio is a seed-stage biotech startup in San Francisco seeking a talented and motivated individual to join its biochemistry team and support its mission toward developing a novel small molecule therapeutics platform
for addressing historically undruggable targets.
This position is a fantastic opportunity to join a VC-funded early-stage biotech company, and to grow within a vibrant team dedicated to the discovery of innovative, targeted small molecule therapeutics. The ideal candidate will have experience in molecular/cellular biology and biochemistry, including mammalian cell culture, molecular cloning, and biochemical assays. Experience in recombinant protein expression/purification and stable cell line
generation is a plus, but not required. The ideal candidate will have strong interest in continued learning of cell biology techniques, as well as in vitro biochemical reconstitutions. The candidate will be immersed in several high-paced, exciting projects at the intersection of biochemistry, cell biology, and computational chemistry with opportunities to learn and grow in new directions.
Responsibilities:
- Participate in protein expression and purification to support biochemical reconstitution efforts
- Lead cloning efforts to establish cellular reporters for our biochemical platform and pipeline
- Manage workflows for generation of large quantities of both adherent and suspension human cell lines
- Optimize Western blotting techniques in various cell model systems
- Effectively collaborate with members of the biochemistry team to implement cellular assays into the broad biochemistry platform and pipeline
- Communicate scientific results through presentations and publications
- Contribute to lab organization and culture
Qualifications:
- B.A./B.S. in biochemistry, biology, molecular biology, or related field
- 2+ years of related wet-lab experience
- Expertise in protein/RNA biochemistry, including recombinant protein purification
- Hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture and molecular cloning; experience in qPCR is a plus
- Highly organized with excellent analytical skills and accurate documentation
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Enthusiasm to learn and contribute to a multidisciplinary team
Contact: Anthony Schuller, Ph.D. | Associate Director – Biochemistry | Email: aschuller@interdictbio.com
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Postdoctoral Position - Cooperman Laboratory | | |
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The Cooperman laboratory in the Chemistry Department of the University of Pennsylvania is seeking to recruit a postdoctoral student with a strong interest in understanding the mechanism and regulation of cytoplasmic eukaryotic protein synthesis. We have developed a highly purified, eukaryotic cell-free protein synthesis system and used it to determine the mechanism of initiating polypeptide elongation in an IRES- dependent system (Zhang et al., Elife 2016 5:e13429), measure the direct interaction of nonsense suppressor molecules with the protein synthesis machinery (Ng et al., ACS Med Chem Lett. 9:1285-1291), elucidate
the mechanisms of elongation and termination, differentiate between the mechanisms by which different nonsense suppressors stimulate readthrough of nonsense codons (Ng et al., PNAS 2021 118, e2020599118) and determine the precise mode of action of ataluren, the only nonsense suppressor currently in clinical use (Huang et al., Nature Comm. 2022 13: 2413). Our current efforts are focused on 1) determining the precise effects of epigenetic modification of mRNA and tRNA on polypeptide elongation and termination and 2) identifying new nonsense suppressors more potent than ataluren using high throughput screening (Ghelfi
et al., 2023 Biomolecules, 13, 242) and determining which patients are most likely to benefit from nonsense
suppressor treatment.
The successful applicant should be mechanistically oriented with expertise in biochemical and molecular
biological approaches. Experience with steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetics is a plus.
Qualifications include a recent Ph.D. in biochemistry, chemical biology, molecular biology, or a related
field and a strong interest in protein synthesis. Applicant must have a strong work ethic, communication &
organization skills, and a willingness to think about and learn new methodologies as the projects evolve.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and CV with contact information for three references to
Barry Cooperman at cooprman@pobox.upenn.edu, (215) 898-6330.
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Postdoctoral Position - Walter Laboratory | | |
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Postdoctoral:
A postdoctoral position is available in the Nils Walter laboratory at the University of Michigan, Chemistry Department. We are particularly interested in an enthusiastic team member who has experience working with cell culture, neurodegenerative diseases, as well as RNA or single molecule tools as our two main areas of excellence.
Information about the Walter laboratory can be found here: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/walter-lab/
Job Requirements: Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biophysics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology; related research experience in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, RNA biology, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, enzymology, next-generation sequencing, or
spectroscopy is a plus. The ideal candidate will be a conscientious, responsible, and collaborative individual interested in becoming a member of a dynamic, engaged team of postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students; have excellent organizational skills; and can communicate effectively with a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds. Postdoctoral Research Fellows in the Walter laboratory are expected to show leadership in
their projects and sub-groups, and in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students working alongside them to answer important biological questions; they will also be excited to communicate their newest findings in publications and presentations.
How to Apply: Interested applicants should email a cover letter outlining their specific interest in the position as well as any skills and experiences that directly relate to the description above, an up-to-date CV, and contact information for three references directly to Dr. Nils G. Walter
(nwalter@umich.edu).
Application Deadline: August 1, 2023
Projected State Date: Fall 2023
Employment: Full-time, 12-month appointment term
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Michigan Pioneer Fellows Program | | |
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Pioneer Fellows Program:
The Michigan Pioneer Fellows program at the University of Michigan provides exceptional postdoctoral scholars with a unique, multidisciplinary community focused on nurturing & launching truly innovative scientists into groundbreaking careers.
In this highly competitive "super-postdoc" program, fellows receive funding to pursue independent research, as well as strong mentorship, skill-building & additional resources.
This partnership between the U-M Life Science Institute, Medical School, College of Pharmacy, & College of LSA, is designed to enhance the research program of the entire life sciences enterprise across the university & to help train & develop the next generation of scientific leaders.
The 2023 Timeline:
April 17: Open for submission
August 4: Deadline for application
Appointment start date is flexible
For more information about the program & how to apply, visit: Pioneerfellows.umich.edu
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RNA Therapeutics Institute - 5th Annual RNATx - June 21-23, 2023 | | |
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UMass Medical School, RNA Therapeutics Institute is hosting the 5th Annual RNATx on June 21-23, 2023.
For more information about the symposium visit: https://www.umassmed.edu/RNATx/
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Professor Nils Walter's Collegiate Professorship Lecture - Video | | |
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Dr. Nils Walter's Collegiate Professorship Lecture on May 8 discussed the opportunities that RNA will provide for us in the future.
In case you missed it, here is a recording.
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Biophysical Society - Postdoctoral Reviewer Program | | |
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Biophysical Journal is accepting applications from postdocs who are members of The Biophysical Society to be Postdoctoral Reviewers. Successful Applicants will be paired with an Editor of the journal working in your research area to receive guidance and mentorship in learning how to review articles submitted for consideration by the journal. This program will give postdocs the opportunity to engage with the editorial board of the Biophysical Society’s flagship journal and to learn how to provide a complete and useful review of a paper, an essential task that contributes to the biophysics community.
Applications are due by July 1, 2023 for selected individuals to begin reviewing in September 2023.
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Interacademy Conference Wurzburg, Germany September 20-22, 2023 | | |
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"Microbiology: from single cell to microbiome and host” on September 20-22, 2023 in Würzburg, Germany.
This conference on molecular microbiology will be organized by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Académie des sciences, the Royal Society, and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Hosted by the University of Würzburg and supported by the Helmholtz Institute Würzburg and the Krupp Foundation, the 2-day conference is the sequel to several successful and exceptionally well-attended Interacademy meetings on the topic that were held in Paris (2014) and London (2016).
For further information, including the line-up of our 22 outstanding speakers, as well as the registration and abstract submission process, please visit the conference website www.microbiology2023.de
Register by: July 31, 2023 (without abstract: end of August 2023).
We can accommodate up to 250 participants, so please try to register early. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at stefanie.ziegler@helmholtz-hiri.de.
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2023 RiboClub Annual Meeting: September 24-28 | | |
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The RiboClub Annual Meeting aims at encouraging the exchange of ideas and stimulates collaborations between RNA biologists around the world. The meeting covers different topics related to the chemistry, structure and biology of RNA with emphasis on upcoming and debatable biological questions. In addition, every year the RiboClub puts the focus on a local or regional RNA group to highlight their efforts and introduce them to the international community.
The meeting format provides principal investigators the opportunity to present their point of views on the current state of knowledge and ignite the curiosity of young scientists. The meeting size and its format give ample opportunity for discussions and interactions, so bring your thinking hat to uncover the next big idea.
Registration fees are subsidized to encourage the participation of students and upcoming researchers. All laboratory members are invited to attend, listen to the presentations of leading scientists and participate in poster competition.
Annual Meeting September 24-28, 2023
Chéribourg Hotel, Orford, Quebec, Canada
Register by: June 30, 2023
More Information: www.riboclub.org
Questions: riboclub@riboclub.org
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Our members' publications are available through Altmetrics. Queries are currently available: CRISPR, microRNA, molecule, RNA, RNA therapeutics, transcriptome, and translation.
Below are recent highlights.
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The Protective Effect of Virus Capsids on RNA and DNA Virus Genomes in Wastewater
Katherine R. Harrison, Delaney Snead, Anna Kilts, Michelle L. Ammerman, Krista R. Wigginton medRxiv 2023.05.19.23290245; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.05.19.23290245 https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.05.19.23290245
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Jones JD, Simcox KM, Kennedy RT, Koutmou KS. Direct sequencing of total S. cerevisiae tRNAs by LC-MS/MS. RNA. 2023 May 11:rna.079656.123. doi: 10.1261/rna.079656.123. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37169396. https://doi.org/10.1261/rna.079656.123 | |
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Lowder FC, Simmons LA. Bacillus subtilis encodes a discrete flap endonuclease that cleaves RNA-DNA hybrids. PLoS Genet. 2023 May 5;19(5):e1010585. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010585. PMID: 37146086; PMCID: PMC10191290. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1010585
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