[Arabidopsis] Post Doc and Graduate Student Positions in Vascular Development

[yhelariu at mappi.helsinki.fi]

1 Postdoctoral Research Associate &
1 Graduate Student



invited to join the European Young Investigator Program (EURYI by ESF);
Wood Development Group
University of Helsinki

We are investigating the molecular basis of vascular development in 
Arabidopsis root using genetics and functional genomics as approaches. We 
have established the role for cytokinins in controlling vascular 
morphogenesis (Mähönen et al. Genes Dev 14: 2938; Inoue et al. Nature 
409:1060) and shown that  ALTERED PHLOEM DEVELOPMENT (APL) locus is 
required for proper vascular tissue identity and codes for a transcription 
factor (Bonke, Thitamadee et al. Nature 426: 181). In addition, we have 
recently carried out genetic screens resulting in identification of 
several new informative mutants affecting procambial development and 
provascular stem cell maintenance. To complement forward genetics, we have 
also initiated a microarray based reverse genetics approach to analyze 
candidate genes from our vascular cell-type-specific transcriptome dataset 
(see our www page). 
	Consequently, we want to investigate whether the molecular 
components identified in Arabidopsis likewise regulate development of the 
vascular cambium of a tree. As a support for this hypothesis, we have 
recently identified that cytokinin signaling components are active in the 
cambial zone of a Populus tree. 
        We are looking for two enthusiastic scientists to join our team to 
characterize new factors of cytokinin mediated vascular development/phloem 
development in Arabidopsis/Populus. Several project scenarios are 
possible, some of them quite advanced. These positions will be filled for 
a minimum of two years at the earliest from 1st of October 2005 and at the 
latest 1st of September 2006. The salary is between 1700 and 2500 
Euros/month depending on qualifications and previous experience. 
Applications are considered beginning September 2005 and are taken until a 
suitable candidate is found.

To apply, please contact me either by email, mail or phone:
Dr. Ykä Helariutta, Plant Molecular Biology Lab, Institute of 
Biotechnology, POB 56 FIN-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
More information from www.biocenter.helsinki.fi/bi/plant/helariutta/, 
by email (yhelariu at operoni.helsinki.fi).