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POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS in the Duke University Center for Systems Biology.

The DCSB is seeking highly motivated postdoctoral candidates with experience in experimental biology, computation, or quantitative analysis relevant for understanding the function of biological systems. Positions are available in several collaborative research groups investigating a broad range of topics in systems biology (see http://www.genome.duke.edu/centers/csb/ for project summaries). Successful candidates with computational and/or analytical expertise may choose to work with several groups. All appointees will be affiliated with the Duke Center for Systems Biology, a cross-school, campus-wide academic center that is also one of the NIH-supported National Systems Biology Centers. All DCSB Postdoctoral Associates receive salary support for one year, with the expectation of renewal for a second year. Experimentalists will use preliminary findings from the first year to support applications for external funding that could support additional years. Women and members of under-represented groups are especially encouraged to apply. U.S. citizenship is not a requirement; however, international scholars should contact us before applying because of visa restrictions. Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, a brief summary of current research and future research interests, and reprints of 2 or 3 key publications at www.academicjobsonline.org. Applicants should also arrange for 3 letters of recommendation to be uploaded to this website. Applications received by May 31, 2008 will be guaranteed consideration. Duke University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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The Perry Prize awarded to Dr. Steven Spoel

Prof. Paul Manos, chair of the prize committee, writes "Steven is on a fast research track, publishing at least five papers during his graduate career at Duke. He has outstanding scholarly abilities and excellent command of his thesis project." Steven writes, "In their natural environment, plants are continuously exposed to very different attackers, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and herbivorous insects. Immunity against these attackers depends on various defense responses that are regulated by the plant hormones salicylate and jasmonate. Whereas salicylate is closely related to the human anti-inflammatory drug aspirin, jasmonate is a derivative of the fragrance jasmine. The work in my dissertation has uncovered that molecular communication between salicylate and jasmonate provides the plant with a means of fine-tuning its immune response specifically against the attacker encountered. Understanding the communication between such key hormones in plant immunity is essential for the development of environmental friendly crop protection strategies for, amongst others, the food and bio-fuels industry.” [more]

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Haase Lab publishes important finding on cell cycle

Prof. Steve Haase and his collaborators have published an important discovery in the journal Nature in their paper "Global control of cell cycle transcription by coupled CDK and network oscillators," Nature advance online publication, 07 May 2008 doi:10.1038/nature06955. Using genomic techniques, the team examined about 6,000 genes in mutant yeast cells to discover that many cell cycle activities are driven by a series of transcription factors acting one after another. For more information follow the link to the paper. [more]

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Research Technician Opening

Research Technician, Biology Dept., Duke University. Great lab opportunity on a developmental genetics project in plant roots. Full time, BA/BSc and lab experience required (some molecular biology experience preferred). Duties will include plant care and basic molecular analyses. Please send cv/resume to Jaimie Van Norman: jaimie.vannorman@duke.edu Duke University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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Katia Koelle publishes on Dengue Fever

Prof. Katia Koelle and her collaborator, Prof. Yoshiro Nagao (Osaka University) recently published a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 105, no. 6, pp. 2238-2243. The paper is entitled "Decreases in dengue transmission may act to increase the incidence of dengue hemorrhagic fever."

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David Sherwood has been named to the Pew Scholars Program

David Sherwood has been named to the highly selective Pew Scholars Program. The Pew program invests in early to mid-career scientists, seeks to expand foundation of biomedical knowledge & advance scientific frontiers.
Check out the Program Press Release.
Check out Dave Sherwood's Program page. [more]

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