Postdoctoral positions to study the mechanisms and regulation of chromosome replication in eukaryotic cells

Applications are invited for Postdoctoral Researchers to work in the laboratory of Karim Labib, to study the mechanisms of action of the eukaryotic replisome, and its regulation by ubiquitylation and phosphorylation. We want to understand how the replisome allows eukaryotic cells to preserve the genetic and epigenetic information within their chromosomes. These issues are critical for the survival of all eukaryotes, and in humans are intimately linked to the development and treatment of cancer. The eukaryotic replisome is much more complex than its bacterial counterpart, presumably reflecting additional functions and more complex regulation. We aim to study how the replisome contributes to the preservation of parental chromatin, and will explore how the unique leading and lagging strand machineries contribute to replisome function. In addition, we are developing new in vitro and in vivo systems with which to study how the replicative DNA helicase is regulated by ubiquitylation and phosphorylation. It seems likely that the underlying mechanisms and regulation have been highly conserved during evolution, and progress in this area could ultimately be exploited to devise improved strategies for treating human diseases such as cancer. The successful applicants will use a state-of-the-art blend of biochemistry and genetics. The MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, and the College of Life Sciences, together provide a fantastic environment for studying genome integrity and its regulation by post-translational modifications, with many other research groups that have complementary interests to our own. There will also be strong opportunities for interactions with the six major Pharmaceutical companies that support the Division of Signal Transduction Therapy (DSTT see http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/overview/DSTT.php), which aims to accelerate the exploitation of any discoveries made within the unit. The positions are available for 3 years. For informal enquiries please contact Karim Labib (kpmlabib@dundee.ac.uk). For further details on the research of Karim Labib’s laboratory (http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/research/?pid=1012) and publications (http://www.ppu.mrc.ac.uk/research/?pid=1012&sub1=publications) please peruse the indicated website links.