Postdoctoral Position in Skeletal Regeneration, Diabetes, and Spatial Biology

About the Role

A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Dana Graves at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental Medicine, Department of Periodontics. The research focuses on investigating a newly identified mechanism through which diabetes impairs fracture healing and developing a locally delivered therapeutic strategy to restore skeletal repair.

The project is supported by strong preliminary evidence demonstrating that lineage-specific deletion of FOXO1 in chondrocytes or osteoblasts reverses diabetes-impaired fracture healing. Disruption of primary cilia in these skeletal lineages reproduces defining features of defective repair in diabetes, identifying a previously unrecognized FOXO1-primary cilia signaling axis as a key regulator of skeletal regeneration under diabetic conditions.

The successful candidate will define how diabetes-induced FOXO1 activity alters ciliogenesis, cellular differentiation, and regenerative signaling in chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Studies will integrate conditional mouse models targeting FOXO1, IFT80, and combined FOXO1/IFT80 deletion with fracture-healing models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. A major emphasis will be on resolving the fracture-healing microenvironment at spatial and single-cell resolution.

Experimental approaches include 10x Genomics Xenium spatial transcriptomics, single-cell RNA sequencing, computational analysis using R and Seurat, histology, immunofluorescence, semi-automated image analysis, and microcomputed tomography.

The project also includes a translational component focused on a newly developed IGF-1 mimetic-containing nanofiber hydrogel for controlled local delivery at the fracture site. The candidate will examine its effects on inflammation, tissue formation, and whether it restores cilia-dependent regenerative signaling and improves structural and functional fracture healing in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Responsibilities

• Take substantial intellectual ownership of the project, including development of experimental directions.
• Lead spatial-transcriptomic and computational analyses.
• Present findings and prepare first-author manuscripts.
• Contribute to grant development and collaborative studies.
• Define how diabetes-induced FOXO1 activity alters ciliogenesis, cellular differentiation, and regenerative signaling in chondrocytes and osteoblasts.
• Integrate conditional mouse models with fracture-healing models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
• Conduct spatial transcriptomics, single-cell RNA sequencing, and computational analysis using R and Seurat.
• Perform histology, immunofluorescence, semi-automated image analysis, and microcomputed tomography.
• Evaluate the effects of a locally delivered IGF-1 mimetic-containing nanofiber hydrogel on fracture healing.

Qualifications

• PhD, MD, DMD, DVM, or equivalent degree in skeletal biology, cell biology, molecular biology, bioengineering, diabetes biology, immunology, computational biology, or a related field.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable:
  • Mouse genetics and disease models
  • Bone or cartilage biology
  • Fracture healing
  • Spatial transcriptomics
  • Single-cell RNA sequencing
  • Computational analysis using R and Seurat
  • Image analysis
  • Molecular and cellular assays
  • Histology
  • Microcomputed tomography
• Candidates with strong experimental backgrounds who wish to develop expertise in osseous and regenerative biology, spatially resolved molecular analysis, and single-cell transcriptomics are encouraged to apply.
• Evidence of scientific rigor, clear scientific writing and communication, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Professional Development and Research Environment

The position provides multidisciplinary training at the interface of skeletal biology, diabetes, mouse genetics, spatial and single-cell genomics, computational biology, and translational biomaterials research. The fellow will receive direct scientific mentoring from Dr. Graves, regular project-based guidance, and opportunities to work with collaborators and shared-resource specialists across the University of Pennsylvania.

Access to Penn core facilities and collaborative expertise will support spatial transcriptomics, single-cell genomics, imaging, histology, and quantitative analysis. Guided training in R, Seurat, and analysis of Xenium and single-cell datasets will be available to candidates with strong experimental backgrounds but limited computational experience.

The research plan is designed to support intellectual independence, high-quality first-author publications, grant development, and preparation for subsequent faculty or industry applications.

Funding

The position is grant supported through 2028, with substantial PI grant support through 2031.

Selected Publications

• Diabetes exacerbates destructive inflammation by activating the CD137L-CD137 axis. Journal of Clinical Investigation. PMID: 41379565. Alharbi MA, Graves DT.
• FOXO 1 deletion in chondrocytes rescues diabetes-impaired fracture healing by restoring angiogenesis and reducing apoptosis. PMID: 37576976. Ko KI et al.
• NF-kappaB perturbation reveals unique immunomodulatory functions in Prx1-positive fibroblasts that promote development of atopic dermatitis. Science Translational Medicine. PMID: 35108061.