Dr. Michael Reber, Senior Scientist at the Donald K. Johnson Eye Institute part of Krembil Research Institute, is immediately seeking a graduate student to join their lab.
Background:
The Reber lab is currently looking at the Role of mechanotransduction in the development and function of the visual system.They will investigate the role of recently discovered Piezo 1 and 2 proteins in the development of the visual connectivity. Piezos 1/2 are ion gated channels, sensing cellular environment and activated by variation in cell membrane curvature. They have been shown to be involved in the regulation of touch, proprioception, lung inflation and blood pressure. Recently, Piezo1 has been shown to be involved in the guidance of ganglion cell axons in xenopus by sensing tissue stiffness along the optic pathway. However, whether Piezo ½ are involved in the mammalian visual system in unknown. This project seeks to investigate the role Piezo1/2 in the formation of the visual maps in the midbrain in mouse, using conditional KO approaches. Experimental procedures will include molecular and cellular neurobiology, computational neuroscience, axon tracing, imaging, primary neuronal culture and behavioral analyses.
Job Description:
The graduate student will use cellular and molecular biology techniques, neuronal cell isolation and culture, neuronal/axon tracing techniques, imaging and mouse behavioral tasks to investigate the role of Piezo1/2 mechano-transducers in visual system connectivity in mouse models.
Qualifications:
- Background in Neurosciences
- Experience with mouse handling required
- Experience in cell culture and/or axon tracing (dyes, virus) would be an asset.
- Knowledge of statistics and solid organizational ability.
- Verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Length of Position: 4-5 years
Closing Date: February 2019
For further details regarding this position, please contact Dr. Michael Reber (michael.reber@uhnresearch.ca)