美国加州Buck老年病研究中心诚聘肾结石研究博士

Postdoctoral position – Kapahi & Stoller Laboratories

A model for studying kidney stone formation and drug screening in Drosophila.

Dr. Stoller is one of the leading experts in the field of human kidney stones. The focus of the Kapahi Laboratory is to identify and characterize the genetic pathways that mediate effects on lifespan and age-related diseases.

Recently, the Kapahi and Stoller laboratories have developed a model for kidney stones using D. melanogaster. Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) account for more than $2.1 billion in medical expenditures annually in the United States 8. Symptomatic kidney stones are a source of severe pain, infection, morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, patients with urinary stone disease have an increased likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and are more likely to express symptoms of metabolic syndrome. The calcification process underlying early stone formation may be a common linkage between these systemic disorders. We observe that the formation of mineralized concretions in the fly Malpighian tubule (‘kidney’) is strikingly similar to the early stages of human stone development. Consequently, understanding the genetic and environmental modulators of concretion formation in Drosophila might provide (1) fundamental insights into the formation of human stones, (2) a better understanding of the linkage between nephrolithiasis and other human diseases and (3) a screening too for developing new kidney stone medications. In addition and at even more fundamental level, this research might help uncover the role of nutrition in the etiology of age-related human diseases including kidney stones, diabetes and cardoiovascular diseases. Candidates with interest or experience in Drosophila model systems are strongly encouraged to apply.

Selected publications:
1. Vargas M, Yamaguchi A, Luo N, Kapahi P. The role of S6 Kinase and serotonin in maintaining nutrient balance in D. melanogaster. Current Biology.
2. Kapahi P, Rogers A, Chen D. Katewa SD, Li P, Kockel L. ‘WithTOR, less is more: The emerging role of theTORpathway in aging.’ Cell Metabolism
3. Zid BM, Rogers A, Katewa SD, Au Lu T, Benzer S, Kapahi P. 4E-BP modulates lifespan and mitochondrial translation upon dietary restriction in Drosophila. Cell (2009).
4. Kapahi P, Zid BM, Harper T, Koslover D, Sapin V, & Benzer S. Regulation of lifespan in Drosophila by modulation of genes in theTORsignaling pathway. Curr Biol. 2004

The Buck Institute for Age Research in Novato is located 20 miles north of San Francisco & Berkeley. The Buck Institute is the only independent institute in the U.S. devoted solely to research on aging and age-related diseases. Our mission is to increase the healthspan, the healthy years of life. Awarded a federal grant to establish interdisciplinary research in a new field called Geroscience, Buck scientists work in a unique, collaborative environment that allows scientists to initiate studies quickly and respond to new opportunities in fields such as stem cell research and regenerative medicine. The Buck Institute has excellent in-house proteomic, genomic and microscopy facilities. Our scientists represent a variety of complementary fields, including genetics, epigenetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioenergetics, age-associated disease; and technological disciplines such as genomics, proteomics, protein interaction networks and bio-informatics. The Buck Institute has an excellent postdoctoral research program. For more information visithttp://www.buckinstitute.org.

The candidate must be a US citizen and will receive training in specific area(s) of research with the aim of progressing towards a career as independent investigator.

For more information regarding this position please submit your CV & cover letter mentioning the* Kapahi & Stoller Laboratories* to:jvankampen@buckinstitute.org