Title: Post-doctoral positions at the Center for Applied Toxinology (CAT-Cepid) Instituto Butantan
Funding agency: FAPESP (Fundação de amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo)
Working area: Biochemistry/Pharmacology/Cell Biology
Project title: Center for Applied Toxinology
Field of knowledge: General Biology
Principal investigators: Hugo Aguirre Armelin, Yara Cury, Ana Marisa Chudzinski Tavassi and Solange Maria de Toledo Serrano.
Unit/Instituition: Instituto Butantan
Application deadline: Jan 05, 2010
Four post-doc positions are available at the Center for Applied Toxinology. The projects are funded by a grant from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP). The positions are linked to the projects described below:
-Project #1: The main goal of this project is to evaluate the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the analgesic activity of crotalphine, a peptide isolated from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus. Candidates should have experience with in vitro assays to evaluate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of pain and analgesia such as culture of neuronal cells as well as immunochemistry and immunoenzymatic assays. Prior experience with in vivo behavior assays to evaluate pain is also desirable.
-Project #2: “Proteomics applied to the analysis of the functional interaction of snake venom proteinases with cell and plasma targets”. The project aims to apply proteomic approaches to study the mechanisms of action and the structure-function relationship of hemorrhagic snake venom metalloproteinases. Applicants should have experience with proteomic analysis using 2D-electrphoresis and mass spectrometry, immunoenzymatic assays, protein isolation, protein recombinant expression and assays to detect protein-protein interaction.
-Project #3: The project aims to evaluate the mechanisms of action of proteins and peptides affecting the hemostatic system or capable of modulation cell survival. Candidates should have experience with cell culture, protein purification and enzyme activity, molecular cloning, and recombinant protein expression, and coagulation assays.
-Project #4: “Modeling and simulation of metabolic and signaling pathways involved in triggering and progression of cell cycle”. Candidates should demonstrate strong expertise in one of the following areas and be familiar with the others: i) mathematical and computational modeling using differential equations or automata; ii) statistical modeling including Bayesian and Boolean networks; iii) statistical analysis and experimental design; iv) computer programming applied to experimental analyzes (candidates should mention computer languages and software with which they have experience). The applicants should have genuine interest in biology problems and familiarity with the following techniques is also desirable: DNA microarray analysis, RT-PCR, Western blot, mass spectrometry and cell cycle analysis by flow citometry.
How to apply: Candidates should send a presentation letter with a brief statement of scientific experience, motivations for the post-doctoral research and indication of two professional references, and an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae to the principal investigator of each individual project.
-Project #1: Dr. Yara Cury, principal investigator (yarac@butantan.gov.br), (Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Instituto Butantan;
-Project #2: Dr. Solange M. T. Serrano, principal investigator (solangeserrano@butantan.gov.br), Laboratory of Applied Toxinology, Instituto Butantan;
-Project #3: Dr. Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi, principal investigator (amchudzinski@butantan.gov.br), Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Instituto Butantan.
-Project #4: Prof. Hugo A. Armelin, principal investigator (haarmeli@iq.usp.br), Laboratory of Cell Cycle, Instituto Butantan.
Please refer to the FAPESP conditions for fellowships at www.fapesp.br/bolsas/pd