Postdoc in cardiovascular development

We are looking for a motivated postdoctoral fellow to study mechanisms by which cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions regulate cardiovascular development and how dysfunctional ECM signaling results in congenital heart disease. In vivo projects in the lab focus on the role of ECM in the regulation of vascular progenitor cell fate specification and cardiovascular morphogenesis with the aim to uncover genetic and cellular mechanisms regulating great vessel formation and patterning, and how these processes are affected in congenital heart disease. The successful candidate will combine genetic manipulation, embryology, cell biology, confocal imaging, and single-cell RNAseq to understand the role of cell-ECM interactions in blood vessel formation and patterning.

We also have an in vitro cell biology project that utilizes super-resolution microscopy to uncover the mechanisms of fibronectin fibrillogenesis and the relationship between fibronectin fibrillogenesis and signaling. Our lab is equipped with a state-of-the-art microscope with confocal, TRIF, and super-resolution modalities.

For further information on our visit our lab’s website https://sites.rutgers.edu/astrof-lab/ and please read the following publications: Warkala et al., Cell – ECM Interactions Play Multiple Essential Roles in Aortic Arch Development. Circ Res. 2021 Feb 5;128(3): e27-e44. DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.

Tomer et al., New mechanism of fibronectin fibril assembly revealed by live imaging and super-resolution microscopy. BioRxiv DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.09.09.290130

To apply, please send a description of your research interests and expertise along with a CV and the names and contact information of three references to sophie.astrof@rutgers.edu