Postdoc/Asst Prof - The Glymphatic System, Brain Clearance and Neuroglia under physiological conditions and in disease models

The Center for Translational Neuromedicine at the University of Rochester invites applications for postdoctoral research associates and/or junior faculty positions in neuroscience to join the laboratory of Maiken Nedergaard, to study the glymphatic system and neuroglia signaling under physiological conditions and in disease models.

Mission

The neurobiology of glia cells is one of the most rapidly developing areas in neuroscience. For the first time in experimental history, in vivo imaging technologies permit the study of fundamental function of astrocytes in awake behaving animals. These experiments have challenged the idea that cognitive function is based only on neuronal circuits. In addition, astrocytes play a crucial role in clearance of solutes and neurotoxins from the brain to meningeal and cervical lymph vessels. This brain-wide clearance system, named the glymphatic system, is the primary focus of the lab.

The glymphatic system represents unique opportunities for novel fundamental discoveries. The glymphatic system has provided break-throughs in understanding why we sleep, mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, how edema forms in stroke, and has provided new information on biological timekeeping. The lab uses multiple alternative approaches and works closely with fluid dynamicists to develop new models understanding how brain fluid flow and brain activity work together. A natural extension of this work includes the regulation of extracellular ion concentrations and the impact of extracellular K+ on neural circuits. We are seeking candidates interested in furthering this work, and expanding the field's knowledge during physiological conditions and in models of stroke, traumatic brain injury, chronic neuropathic pain and stress. Technical approaches include utilizing and refining in vivo imaging in awake behaving mice, macroscopic fluorescence imaging and 2-photon and macroscopic imaging, optogenetics, patch clamping, LFP recordings, EEG recordings, ion-measurements, microdialysis, RNA-seq, and animal models of diseases including Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, circadian misalignment, stroke and more.

Candidates will be part of the Center for Translational Neuromedicine, located at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY. The University of Rochester Medical Center Research currently ranks 32 on US News ranking, ahead of UC San Diego and NYU. The mission of the Center for Translational Neuromedicine at the University of Rochester (www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/Nedergaard-Lab) is to create a unique platform for complex research of glial cells in health and disease. The lab itself has investigators at every level of experience including undergraduate researchers, research technicians, graduate students, postdocs, and affiliated faculty providing a diverse training environment. This includes day-to-day collaborations with Goldman, Hablitz, and Du labs, who share joint lab space. The two arms of the Center for Translational Neuromedicine (CTN) at the University of Rochester, NY and at Copenhagen, Denmark facilitate multi-national collaborations. Beyond the CTN, Dr. Nedergaard's research collaborations span the globe, providing extremely rich, dynamic, and unique collaborative science experiences.

Career development including help with writing funding applications will be provided from the CTN, with additional support available from the University of Rochester Postdoctoral Association and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry Office for Faculty Development. Technical support in the lab includes a technician dedicated to preparing mice for imaging, including thin skull, acute and chronic cranial windows and implants. There is easy access to 2-photon or electrophysiology set up. Candidates will have the opportunity to be trained in all available techniques and assays as the project requires.

Candidates will have the opportunity to develop their own team of undergraduate researchers, with potential for dedicated full-time technicians, to gain leadership experience and streamline their research program.

Specific projects will be determined according to the candidate's interest and experience.

Applicants are required to enclose a cover letter along with their CV, wherein they should elaborate on their research interests and demonstrate their suitability for the position.

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disable

Research:

• The glymphatic system

To investigate the basic molecular and cellular mechanisms of glymphatic function and how it is affected in disease. We value the following skills: prior research in glial or lymphatic biology, optical in vivo microscopy, optogenetic manipulations, and complex data analysis.

• Physiology of astrocytes- neuroglia signaling

Experiments will focus on astroglia involvement in regulation of sleep and contribution to cognition. Desirable skills include: slice and in vivo patch clamp, extracellular recordings including LFP and ion-sensitive electrodes, 2-photon in vivo imaging, optogenetics and sniffer approaches, and programming skills (Matlab, LabVIEW, Python, etc.).

• Novel models of stroke and traumatic brain cand spinal cord injury

The lab is constantly developing new models of acute brain injury to understand the importance of astrocytic Ca2+ signaling and glymphatic dysfunction in secondary injury. The goal is to map the evolution of injury in awake behaving mice to understand the mechanisms of secondary injury and develop new treatment strategies.

• Chronic neuropathic pain

To investigate neuroimmunological and glymphatic mechanisms of chronic neuropathic pain in murine sparse nerve injury and spinal cord injury models. Desirable skills include: prior research in chronic pain, small animal recovery surgery, in vivo LFP recordings, in vivo microdialysis for cytokines, 2-photon and macroscopic in vivo imaging, sleep and circadian behavioral analysis.

• Circadian control of cerebrospinal fluid distribution between the brain and body

Experiments will be designed to understand how and why CSF switches between the glymphatic system in the brain and lymphatic system in the periphery, and how this may change in response to models of shift work and jetlag. Desirable skills include: prior research in circadian, sleep, lymphatic, or immune system biology, experience with in vivo microscopy, in vivo circadian reporters, behavioral analysis, and live animal surgery.

About Rochester and the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York

Born as a mill town powered by the falls of the Genesee River, boosted to boomtown status with the opening of the Erie Canal, and brought to the pinnacle of modernity and innovation by its entrepreneurial patriarch George Eastman, Rochester provides a richness and diversity of life that's hard to find outside of the country's largest cities. Its diverse economy was built on the foundation of technology driven manufacturing companies like Kodak, Bausch+Lomb, and Xerox and now ranks among the top knowledge-based economies in the world.

Close collaboration between the region's businesses and rich array of universities and colleges - coupled with one of the most highly trained workforces in the nation - has given rise to optics, advanced manufacturing, alternative energy, business services, life sciences, and food processing companies that compete on a national and global level.

The region is also home to some of the country's finest educational institutions, including eleven public high schools ranked among the Best High Schools in America. Rochester is recognized as one of the most affordable housing markets in the country with median home sales prices more than 30% below the national average.

The region also boasts a high quality of life and is home to leading cultural institutions such as the Eastman School of Music (ranked 11th in the US for music conservatories), the George Eastman House and International Museum of Photography and Film, the National Museum of Play at Strong, and the Memorial Art Gallery, a wine country that has attracted international acclaim, the scenic beauty of the Finger Lakes, and numerous opportunities to hike, bike, golf, paddle, sail, ski, hunt, or fish. There are several state parks and ski mountains within 45m-1.5 hrs. drive. Rochester's weekly Public Market is the winner of 'America's Favorite Farmers Market contest.' The city bustles with great restaurants, nightlife and numerous festivals throughout the year. Local gastronomy includes award winning coffee shops and 10 micro-breweries.