Research Associate (RA) For Gene Editing

Position: Research Associate (RA) for Gene Editing

Project Overview:

Human stem cell differentiation technology enables the generation of any cell or tissue in the body, leveraging human-origin cells for their easy accessibility and scalability. Recent advances in gene editing, particularly CRISPR-Cas technology, are revolutionizing the generation of human pluripotent stem cell-based experimental platforms to model "disease in a dish."

In this role, you will advance research on neurological diseases by utilizing CRISPR/Cas technology to introduce disease-causing mutations in human pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines. Additionally, you will develop gene-targeting strategies for direct pluripotent stem cell differentiation into enriched cultures of neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, using inducible gene expression systems (optogenetic and chemical methods) (Shetaetal.,2023;Teixeiraetal.,2023). Furthermore, you will be involved in generating isogenic (gene-corrected controls) pluripotent stem cell lines against patient pluripotent stem cell lines (Banerjeeetal.,2023).

The candidate will play an integral role in projects related to development, optimization of new gene editing tools. Collectively, candidates should have an expertise and interest in CRISPR-Cas technology for generating cellular models recapitulating neurological diseases.

Essential Requirements:

• Educational Background:

  MSc/PhD in a relevant field, with around 3-5 years of experience in gene editing and molecular biology

• Genome Editing Expertise:

  Demonstrated proficiency in creating knock-out/knock-in lines utilizing CRISPR/Cas technology. The ideal candidate should have a publication record that showcases their expertise in gene editing. In-depth knowledge of the latest advancements in gene editing technologies is essential for this role.

• Technical Proficiency:

  Skilled in using genome browsers, DNA analysis software, and CRISPR/Cas related on/off target specificity analysis, primer design, designing guides, molecular cloning

• Cellular Characterization Techniques:

  Proficient in immunofluorescence staining, FACS analysis, and PCR

• Team Collaboration:

  Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively to a team with a collaborative and flexible approach

• Project Management:

  Strong independent work ethic with excellent project planning, time-keeping, organizational, and online record-keeping skills in electronic lab-books

• Health and Safety:

  Understanding of health and safety requirements related to genetic engineering of cell lines

• Professional Development:

  Commitment to continued professional development.

• Communication Skills:

  Excellent oral and written communication skills, capable of conveying complex information through power point presentation

• Interpersonal Skills:

  Strong interpersonal skills to influence and deliver results

Desired additional qualifications:

• iPSC Experience:

  Experience in gene-editing of pluripotent stem cells or mammalian cell lines to generate stable lines

• Neurobiology basics:

  Understanding of the functions of brain cells and their relevance to neurological diseases

• Knowledge on Sequencing:

  Familiarity with Sanger sequencing.

• Viral Vector Generation:

  Experience in generating viral vectors for labelling cells, regulating gene expression, and manipulating cell physiology

• CRISPR screening

Relevant references

Banerjee, P. et al. (2023) Cell-autonomous immune dysfunction driven by disrupted autophagy in C9orf72-ALS iPSC-derived microglia contributes to neurodegeneration., Science Advances, 9(16), p. eabq0651. doi:10.1126/sciadv.abq0651.

Sheta, R. et al. (2023) Optimized protocol for the generation of functional human induced-pluripotent-stem-cell-derived dopaminergic neurons.,” STAR Protocols, 4(3), p. 102486. doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102486.

Teixeira, M. et al. (2023) “Optogenetic-mediated induction and monitoring of -synuclein aggregation in cellular models of Parkinson’s disease.,” STAR Protocols, 4(4), p. 102738. doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102738.