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Post-doctoral positions as posted on Postdoc Jobs website:

http://www.PostdocJobs.com
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Postdoctoral position available to study the effects of
S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe) on hepatic mitochondrial protein
synthesis with the aim of evaluating its potential in the treatment of
alcoholic liver disease (ALD): Department of Pathology, Anatomy & Cell
biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia US.

Published data has demonstrated that ethanol has a pronounced effect
upon oxidative phosphorylation in the liver. Ethanol consumption
results in decreased levels of essential polypeptides encoded for
exclusively by the mitochondrial genome that are utilized in the
assembly of electron transport chain (ETC) complexes. As a
consequence, their activities are depressed and ATP production
decreases. Investigations into the mechanism(s) responsible for this
phenomenon revealed an ethanol-elicited decrease in the number of
fully functioning mitochondrial ribosomes (mt-ribosomes) along with an
increased tendency for them to dissociate upon isolation. This
suggests that ethanol-mediated effects at the level of mitochondrial
polypeptide translation may be an underlying mechanism involved in the
impairment of energy metabolism seen during the progression of
alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Assembly of mitochondrial ribosomes
requires nuclear encoded proteins and mitochondrially encoded
ribosomal RNA (rRNA) particles. It also requires site-specific
methylation of a small number of nucleotides within the rRNA, a
process that utilizes SAMe. Published data has shown that chronic
ethanol consumption results in depletion of cellular SAMe, which may
have significant consequences for ribosome assembly. The proposed
studies will (a) investigate the significance of rRNA methylation upon
ribosome assembly and function; (b) investigate the effect of chronic
ethanol feeding upon rRNA methylation; and (c) upon the activity of
mitochondrial rRNA methyltransferases. The effect of SAMe feeding upon
the studies in (b) and (c) will also be investigated. It is hoped that
these analyses will provide a unique insight into the role of
mitochondrial protein translation in the progression of ALD and in
addition will evaluate the therapeutic potential of SAMe in the
treatment of chronic alcoholics.

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D in Biochemistry/Molecular
Biology and a solid background in basic biochemical techniques.
Experiences with differential centrifugation, animal handling, RNA
manipulation and protein separation are a plus while good written and
verbal communication skill are essential.

This position is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic, resourceful
person to develop as an independent researcher in a young and
expanding laboratory. The Department of Pathology at Thomas Jefferson
University ranks fourth in the country, relative to other pathology
departments, with regards to NIH funding. In addition Thomas Jefferson
University is located within walking or short commuting distance of
accommodation, shopping centers, entertainment and number of
historical landmarks located in the cultural and cosmopolitan city of
Philadelphia.

Interested applicants should send a complete resum� and the names and
addresses of three referees.

For more information, please visit the Postdoc Jobs website:

http://www.postdocjobs.com/jobs/302842.shtml
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