Research Assistant I - Metabolism

Summary

One Research Assistant position is available in Dr. Yi Zhu's lab in the Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) at the Baylor College of Medicine. The CNRC is one of six USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) sponsored human nutrition research centers. The center is home to approximately 50 faculty members conducting broad nutrition and metabolism-related research. The objective of the research in Dr. Yi Zhu's laboratory is to understand the basic biology of the adipose tissue and the liver in the effort to develop new concepts and biologics to treat diseases related to over-nutrition.

Our focused research areas are: 1) The gap junction-dependent and -independent functions of the Connexin43 protein in adipocyte metabolism, adipokine secretion, milk production, and the communication of adipocytes with other types of cells within the depot. We apply basic scientific discoveries to develop biologics that concurrently engage adipocyte metabolism and gap junction activity to improve the efficacy of the starting molecule. 2) Hyaluronic acid (HA) production, hepatic clearance, and its role in modulating metabolism and liver fibrogenesis. We place a special emphasis on the effects of HA in modulating the immune function of the liver during the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its role in intrahepatic communication among hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, and stellate cells.

Job Duties

• Carry out cell culture and routine molecular biology procedures such as DNA, RNA, and protein isolation, qPCR, western blotting, ELISA, immunofluorescence staining.
• Oversee the maintenance of lab equipment and environment.
• Collect, compile, analyze data, document and interpret results of experiments and report to the principal investigator.
• Conduct literature searches and develop assay protocols.
• Maintain mouse colonies and perform genotyping and phenotyping of mice.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Basic Science or a related field.
• Two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's/ Master's degree in Biology with a minimum of two years of research experience (including classroom research experience).
• Motivated to pursue a career in science, team-oriented, proactive, dedicated, honest, critical, and open-minded.

Other

Candidates please upload your CV and resume along with an unofficial copy of your transcripts with your GPA

Baylor College of Medicine requires employees to be fully vaccinated -subject to approved exemptions-against vaccine-preventable diseases including, but not limited to, COVID-19 and influenza.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.

12355

CA; SN