Post-doctoral Scientist

[Arindam Majumdar]

Post-doctoral Scientist
(Karolinska Institutet)

Highly motivated individuals are invited to apply for a post-doctoral 
scientist appointment in the Division of Matrix Biology (MBB) at the 
Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.  Our research group is 
interested in the developmental signals that control growth and 
differentiation during vertebrate kidney organogenesis.  Because the 
nephron is the functional unit of the kidney and the pathophysiological 
site of human kidney diseases, inclu ding glomerular pathologies, we 
have concentrated our research efforts on identifying the 
molecular/genetic regulation of nephron formation. Topics of 
investigation include nephron segmentation, tubulogenesis, and 
glomerular morphogenesis. Our lab is using the zebrafish embryonic 
kidney or pronephros as a model system for investigating kidney 
organogenesis due to several experimental advantages including 
anatomical simplicity, rapid development, and the ease plus detail of 
visualization using molecular probes. The zebrafish pronephros system 
is amenable to genetic analysis, and mutants have been informative 
for identifying important genes and cellular interactions during 
pronephric organogenesis (Development, 125, pp. 4655-67, 1998; Dev 
Gen., 24, pp. 220-29, 1999; Dev. Biol. 222, pp. 147-57, 2000).  The 
zebrafish mutant no isthmus (noi) contains a mutation in the 
transcription factor Pax2.1 and is associated with pleiotrophic defects 
including those affecting pronephric deve lopment.  During pronephric 
organogenesis, pronephric tubules do not form in noi mutants due to 
problems in patterning of the nephric primordium (Development, 127, 
pp. 2089-98, 2000).  We are using the noi mutant as an entrance point 
into investigating the genetic pathways that cooperate with Pax2.1 to 
regulate nephron segmentation and renal tubular differentiation.  In 
related projects, we are using the zebrafish pronephric system to study 
the gene function in glomerular maturation and function.  Experimental 
approaches involve genetic screens, antisense morpholino technology, 
microarrays, and transgenesis.   Research will be conducted in the 
new Karolinska Institutet Zebrafish Facility and   the Division of Matrix 
Biology, both located in the Scheelelaboratoriet on the Karolinska 
Institutet (Solna) campus.  Located close to the Stockholm city center, 
the Karolinska Institutet is one of Europe=92s largest medical universitie=
s 
and has strong and dynamic research programs in th e basic and 
clinical sciences.  KI provides an international environment 
encouraging collaboration and scientific interaction.  Interested 
applicants should have an interest in kidney organogenesis and prior 
research experience in molecular and developmental biology. Review 
of appllications will begin March 1st, 2004.  Please send complete 
applications including cover letter, CV, and contact information for 
three references to:  

Arindam Majumdar, PhD
Division of Matrix Biology
Deptartment of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics
Karolinska Institutet
Scheeles v=E4g 2
SE-171 77 Stockholm
Sweden
Email: Arindam.Majumdar at mbb.ki.se