Research Assistant I - Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis (Bedford Laboratory)

The Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis is an interdisciplinary, basic science research department that conducts groundbreaking research aimed at defining the mechanisms controlling normal cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and survival as well as mechanisms controlling genome maintenance to identify the aberrations in these processes that drive cancer.

Epigenetics & Molecular Carcinogenesis

The Bedford Laboratory

Dr. Bedford's laboratory focuses on the following two research topics:

1) elucidating the biological role of arginine methylation - an abundant modification that has been implicated in signal transduction, transcriptional control and DNA repair

2) developing a protein domain microarray platform to interrogate the role of posttranslational modifications in driving protein-protein interactions in signal transduction.

They have generated targeted disruptions and gain-of-function mouse models for these arginine methyltransferase enzymes, with a primary focus on CARM1. Using their protein-domain microarray platform, they have identified and characterized novel protein interactions; they have used these arrays to "read" the histone code. They have identified a number of novel proteins that interact with lysine and arginine methylated motifs, as well as with small molecules that can compete with these interactions. Recently, the Bedford lab expanded their array platform to include all the human phospho-reader domains, acetyl-reader domains, and most of the human PDZ domains and ubiquitin-binding domains.

KEY FUNCTIONS

Research Support

• Provide experimental and technical support for ongoing research projects.
• Perform duties in accordance with general and/or specific plans.
• Assists in the design of laboratory experiments, techniques, and protocols.
• Processes, organizes and summarizes data, reporting experiment results using a variety of scientific, word processing, spreadsheet or statistical software applications or program platforms.
• Preparation of tissues, cell cultures, blood samples, and perform other laboratory duties, such as the handling of laboratory animals.
• Assist in general laboratory operation, ensures the laboratory is prepared for experiments, performs related laboratory maintenance such as maintaining and cleaning equipment and assisting with monitoring and stocking supplies, preparation of stock solutions and other reagents.
• Collect and analyze data from experimental procedures and discuss results with the principal investigator.
• Document experimental results and maintain an organized laboratory notebook.
• Prepare materials for submission to granting agencies and foundations.

Expertise and Specialization

• Apply basic background in science to the application of laboratory techniques, using judgment, analysis and evaluation.
• Read literature and confer with superiors regarding new procedures.
• Master essential skills and techniques used in the laboratory.

Laboratory Organization

• Contribute to the laboratory.
• Pursue learning and self-development.
• Actively seek feedback.
• Transfer learning into next steps.

EDUCATION

Required: Bachelor's degree, major course work in one of the basic sciences.

EXPERIENCE

Required: None.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html