Postdoctoral Scientist Position – Alcedo Lab – Wayne State University
The role of neuropeptide signaling in processing sensory information to influence physiology
For optimal survival, an animal has to process complex environmental information to generate the appropriate physiological responses. However, the mechanisms through which animals process complex information remain unknown. Recently, we have identified different neuropeptide signaling pathways that are involved in processing distinct sensory cues to promote different physiological outputs: (i) the neuromedin U signaling pathway in mediating the food-type influence on development and lifespan (ref. 1) and (ii) specific insulin-like peptides in promoting distinct developmental switches under certain environments (ref. 2). Next, we wish to know how these neuropeptides encode and process environmental information to manage different physiological outputs, e.g., development versus lifespan.
We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to join us in further elucidating how neuropeptide signaling regulates C. elegans physiology in response to the changing quality of the environment. Candidates should have expertise in genetics and molecular biology. Interested individuals should please send their CV, a brief cover letter describing their research experience and 3 references to:
Joy Alcedo, PhD
Wayne State University
Department of Biological Sciences
5047 Gullen Mall
Detroit, MI 48202
joy.alcedo@wayne.edu
Recommended readings:
(1) Maier, W., Adilov, B., Regenass, M., and Alcedo, J. (2010). A neuromedin U receptor acts with the sensory system to modulate food type-dependent effects on C. elegans lifespan. PLoS Biol 8, e1000376. (*These authors contributed equally to this work.)
(2) Cornils, A., Gloeck, M., Chen, Z., Zhang, Y. and Alcedo, J. (2011). Specific insulin-like peptides encode sensory information to regulate distinct developmental processes. Development 138, 1183 – 1193.
(3) Alcedo, J., Maier, W., and Ch’ng, Q. (2010). Sensory influence on homeostasis and lifespan: molecules and circuits. In: Tavernarakis N (ed), Protein Metabolism and Homeostasis in Aging. Landes Bioscience, Austin, TX, pp. 197-210. (http://www.landesbioscience.com/curie/chapter/4546/)
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