Post-doctoralAssociate position, Nov. 2016  

Protein thiol/redox regulation oftissue fibrosis

Area of study: Lung fibrosis is adevastating disease, killing as many people in the US yearly as breast cancer.Our laboratory is addressing the molecular processes that control plasticity ofairway epithelial cells and their role in lung fibrosis. We are investigating theactions that oxidants (cysteine oxidations) play in these processes, andnotably the role of protein S-glutathionylation, the covalent attachment ofglutathione to proteins, which regulates structure/function. We want todiscover mechanisms that control the forward Sglutathionylation reactions. Weuse approaches ranging from thiol redox-biochemistry and redox-proteomics, toRNA Seq, transgenic and clinical-translational approaches.

The post-doctoral candidate willemploy redox proteomics to the identify S-glutathionylation targets inexperimental models of fibrosis, and patients with fibrosis, and determine howthese S-glutathionylation events functionally link to persistent airwaysremodeling, lung function impairment and disease progression. The candidatewill investigate how S-glutathionylation functionally affects the epithelialcells and immune responses. This project explores the enzyme that catalyzes thede-glutathionylation reaction, glutaredoxin. We are interesting in discoveringthe protein targets of glutaredoxin in fibrosis, and structural/moleculardeterminants whereby glutaredoxin catalyses beneficial reactions.

Training Environment: The University ofVermont Redox Biology and Pathology Program offers a trans-disciplinarytraining environment with strong mentoring towards a future career success inscience. The environment is friendly, collegial and vibrant. Beautiful Vermonthas a lot to offer for outdoor enthusiasts.

The applicant will have strongwork autonomy, and opportunities for career advancement to the levelof Research Associate. The applicants’ opinion will be will valued inmajor decisions concerning research directions and grant submissions.

Desired Skills and Expertise: Publicationrecord, with peer-reviewed manuscripts. Strong experience with cell and molecular biology and redox biochemistry. Preferredapplicants are a permanent resident or US Citizen. Enrollment in NIH-fundedtraining programs is possible.    

Formore information: Yvonne Janssen-Heininger, PhD Professor of Pathology, HSRFBuilding, 216A

89Beaumont Avenue, Burlington VT 05405, USA Phone 802 656 0995; Email  Yvonne.janssen@uvm.edu  

Post-doctoralAssociate position, Nov. 2016  

Redox regulation of obese asthma

Area of study: Obese asthma is a tremendous clinicalproblem, as this affects large numbers of patients worldwide, and obese asthmatends to be severe and poorly controlled with existing medications. Ourlaboratory has discovered that obese asthma is accompanied by severe oxidativestress. We are investigating the actions that oxidants (cysteine oxidations)play in obese asthma, and notably the role of protein S-glutathionylation, thecovalent attachment of glutathione to proteins, which regulatesstructure/function. We want to discover mechanisms by which S-glutathionylationchanges metabolism, and the subsequent impact for immune function alterationsand disease severity.  

The post-doctoral candidate will employredox proteomics and metabolomics to the identify S-glutathionylation targetsin obese asthma, and determine how these S-glutathionylation events controlmetabolic alternations, and immune modulation. The candidate will investigatehow specific S-glutathionylation targets reconfigure metabolism, and will utilizespecific interventions targeting these events. This project explores theenzymes that catalyze S-glutathionylation reactions, notably glutathioneS-transferases (GST), and enzyme known to play a role in metabolism. We areinteresting in discovering the structural/molecular determinants whereby GSTPrecognizes and targets proteins for S-glutathionylation.

TrainingEnvironment: The University of Vermont RedoxBiology and Pathology Program offers a trans-disciplinary training environmentwith strong mentoring towards a future career success in science. Theenvironment is friendly, collegial and vibrant. Beautiful Vermont has a lot tooffer for outdoor enthusiasts.  

The applicant will have strongwork autonomy, and opportunities for career advancement to the levelof Research Associate. The applicants’ opinion will be will valued inmajor decisions concerning research directions and grant submissions.

DesiredSkills and Expertise: Publication record, withpeer-reviewed manuscripts. Strong experience with cell and molecular biology and redoxbiochemistry. Preferred applicants are a permanent resident or US Citizen.Enrollment in NIH-funded training programs is possible.    

Formore information: Yvonne Janssen-Heininger, PhD Professor of Pathology, HSRF Building,216A

89Beaumont Avenue, Burlington VT 05405, USA Phone 802 656 0995; Email  Yvonne.janssen@uvm.edu