Jobs
508 days ago
Dalhousie University -
The Beiko lab at Dalhousie University is seeking two highly motivated PhD students to carry out projects in microbial genomics and evolution. Key aims of these PhD positions will include:
- Using evolutionary methods to build new, modular representations of genomes
- Building comprehensive maps of lateral gene transfer from multiple lines of evidence (phylogenomics, coevolution, etc)
- Incorporating gene-order information to refine functional predictions of genes
Selected candidates will join an interdisciplinary team that carries out theoretical and applied research in microbial genomics, machine learning, and algorithms.
579 days ago
University of Ottawa -
587 days ago
Laval University -
OVERVIEW Our laboratory examines the role of platelets and their mother cell, the megakaryocyte, in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Megakaryocytes are giant cells, capable of replicating their DNA content 128 times without cellular division, which afford these cells an extraordinary RNA content.
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS The accumulation of autoantibodies and autoantigens in blood, the formation of immune complexes (ICs) and their deposition in organs play a central role in this pathogenesis. Up-regulation of the type I interferon (IFN), leading to expression of IFN-regulated genes, also characterizes SLE. We demonstrated that dependently of the expression of FcγRIIA, a receptor for ICs, platelets displayed an altered transcriptome presenting IFN-regulated genes and dysregulated mitochondrial pathways in SLE. As platelets are anucleate, these data indicate that megakaryocytes, the cells that produce platelets and afford them their RNA content, are altered in SLE. We will integrate these intriguing findings by examining megakaryocytes in SLE with emphasis on megakaryocyte spatial transcriptomics and bioenergetics.
HYPOTHESIS: An SLE-prone environment reprograms megakaryocytes into a pro-inflammatory phenotype that plays a significant role in driving SLE pathology.
650 days ago
McGill University -
Professor Audrey Grant is hiring two PhD students at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at McGill University (the specific department depends on the background of the student). These research opportunities are focused on applied approaches directed towards chronic pain development, conditions featuring chronic pain, and pain sensitivity. Chronic pain is defined based on the persistence of pain experience for over three months and represents a substantial public health burden with a prevalence of 20 % in the general population. Although the genetic basis of various pain conditions (including fibromyalgia, migraine, lower back pain) is not well understood, the development of chronic pain implicates both the nervous system and immunity, and may be related to psychiatric outcomes. The overall goal of our joint research interests is to identify the molecular basis for the transition from acute to chronic pain, body site specificity vs. widespreadness across pain conditions, and pain sensitivity.
Moreover, pain and discomfort in everyday life are often treated with over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic medications (pain killers), particularly in Western countries, making analgesic medication intake a key exogenous exposure impacting on pain experience. We also aim to use pharmacogenomics approaches to consider the role of genetic variation in analgesic efficacy.
Methodology employed includes classical and emerging statistical genomics analysis techniques including machine learning. We offer a stimulating research environment at the Alan Edwards Center for Pain Research, an internationally recognized pain research institute. We are located near the McGill Genome Center, offering opportunities for exchanges with McGill’s Genomics experts. High performance parallel computing infrastructure is available through our dedicated resource allocation from the Digital Research Alliance of Canada, allowing for efficient implementation of Big Data projects.
657 days ago
The University of Western Ontario -
We have several graduate positions (PhD or MSc) available for individuals interested in single-cell molecular technologies, bioinformatics and data science. Possible research topics include:
– Identifying signatures to predict treatment response in breast cancer
– Single-cell genomics of immune responses to cancer
– Microbial single-cell transcriptomics
New students can join the lab via the Anatomy and Cell Biology or Biochemistry graduate programs and will have the opportunity to join Western’s Collaborative Specialization in Machine Learning in Health and Biomedical Sciences.