Postdoctoral position in Medical Mycology

[Dr. Yeyan Zhang]

        A postdoctoral position is available to study mechanisms by which
pathogenic fungi (eg, Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans) 
regulate intracellular acyclic polyols concentrations.  Acyclic polyols 
such as D-arabinitol and mannitol function in fungi as intracellular 
osmolytes and as oxidative stress protectants, and mutants with 
diminished abilities to synthesize and accumulate acyclic polyols are 
stress-intolerant and hypovirulent (Microbiol 1996;142:937; J 
Immunol 1996;156:3836; J Bacteriol 1997;179:157).

        Our past studies have focused on the metabolic pathways by which
 C. albicans and C. neoformans synthesize and catabolize polyols and the
functional and pathogenic significance of these pathways (J Bacteriol 
1993;175:6314 and 1995;177:2971).  The new postdoctoral associate will
study the mechanisms by which pathogenic fungi maintain and regulate
high acyclic polyol concentration gradients across the cell membrane.  
One possible approach will be (i) to clone the cDNAs and/or genes
encoding the C. albicans and/or C. neoformans homologs of the yeast 
and E. coli transmembrane glycerol facilitators and (ii) to use molecular 
approaches to assess the functional and pathogenic significance of 
these polyol transporters or facilitators.

        Familiarity with basic molecular biology methods is essential.
Previous experience with yeast or other fungi and/or biochemical 
and/or molecular analyses of membrane transporters is desirable.

        Please send CV and the names of 3 references to Dr. Brian Wong,
Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 
VA Medical Center, 950 Campbell Ave (111-I), West Haven, CT 06516 
(Fax 203-937-3476; email brian.wong at yale.edu).