postdoctoral position in Candida albicans

[ptm at biosci.cbs.umn.edu]

A position is available at the University of Minnesota to study the 
mechanism of karyotypic rearrangements in Candida albicans.  The 
position is available immediately and pays $23000 to $26000, 
depending on the level of experience.  Funding is guaranteed for 
three years.  Qualifications include experience with plasmid
construction, mapping, and fungal genetics.  The postdoc will be 
part of a larger group engaged in preparing a detailed genetic 
map of Candida albicans.  The University of Minnesota is located 
in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, routinely chosen 
as one of the top twenty-five places to live in the US.

Candida albicans is the single most important human fungal pathogen.  
A diploid as usually isolated, it has no known sexual cycle.  
It infects immunosuppressed patients ranging from AIDS sufferers 
to transplant recipients.  In most of these patients it leads to 
significant morbidity or mortality.  In healthy people, it exists 
as a commensal.  The mechanisms of pathogenesis are not well 
understood.  No virulence factors have been unequivocally iden-
tified, although its abilityto grow both as a yeast and as a 
filamentous fungus may be important.

This opportunistic pathogen seems to undergo karyotypic rearrange-
ments with a relatively high frequency.  Physical mapping of 
several strains has suggested that translocations tend to occur 
at specific points, at or near SfiI restriction sites.  It seems 
likely that the structure of these sites is related to their role
as preferred translocation points.

Detailed physical mapping of these translocation sites is underway.  
A skilled molecular biologist is needed to elucidate the complete 
structure of several of these sites.  Once the structure is 
established, we will analyze the mechanism of translocation by 
constructing strains in which translocations can be selected and 
by determining the structural and genetic requirements for an 
elevated level of translocation.

For further information, email me or call me.

P.T. Magee

Department of Genetics and Cell Biology
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN 55108

ptm at molbio.cbs.umn.edu
(612) 624.2244