Postdoctoral Position in Diabetic Fracture Healing, FOXO1, Primary Cilia, and Regenerative Biomaterialsled Position
About the role
An open postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Dana Graves at the University of Pennsylvania to study the disruption of fracture healing by diabetes and to develop a new local therapeutic strategy. This project leverages recent findings that lineage-specific deletion of FOXO1 in chondrocytes or osteoblasts restores impaired healing in diabetic mice, as well as evidence that loss of primary cilia in these lineages mimics diabetic fracture healing.
Responsibilities
- Investigate how diabetes-induced FOXO1 activity suppresses ciliogenesis and regenerative signaling in chondrocytes and osteoblasts using conditional mouse models and spatial transcriptomics.
- Utilize diabetic fracture models to assess the impact of FOXO1 and primary cilia loss on fracture healing.
- Conduct single-cell RNA sequencing and histology to characterize cellular responses in diabetic fracture healing.
- Employ microCT and biomechanical testing to quantify the effects of FOXO1 and cilia loss on bone repair.
- Develop and test a novel nanofiber hydrogel (NFH-IGF) containing an IGF-1 mimetic for controlled local release at the fracture site.
- Determine the efficacy of NFH-IGF in restoring cilia-dependent signaling, suppressing FOXO1 activity, and improving fracture healing in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Requirements
The ideal candidate should have a PhD, MD, DMD, DVM, or equivalent degree in skeletal biology, cell biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, diabetes biology, immunology, or a related field. Experience with mouse models, bone or cartilage biology, fracture healing, imaging, molecular assays, spatial transcriptomics, single-cell RNAseq, or bioinformatics is desirable.
Qualifications
Candidates must be U.S. citizens or foreign nationals.
Skills
- Experience with mouse models
- Bone or cartilage biology
- Fracture healing
- Imaging techniques
- Molecular assays
- Spatial transcriptomics
- Single-cell RNA sequencing
- Bioinformatics
Benefits
This position offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of skeletal biology, diabetes complications, primary cilia signaling, regenerative biomaterials, and high-dimensional genomics, with significant potential for impactful research.
Pay
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.
Schedule
The position is full-time and permanent.
Contact Information
To apply, send a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references through Interfolio. For more information, please visit our website.