Axonal Transport and Energy Metabolism in Neuronal Degeneration and Regeneration Fellowship
Postdoctoral positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Zu-Hang Sheng in National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH). New postdoctoral fellows will investigate mechanisms (1) regulating axonal mitochondrial trafficking and anchoring in order to sense, integrate, and respond to changes in metabolic and growth status, synaptic activity, energy availability, pathological stress and regeneration following brain injury; (2) regulating axonal transport of endo-lysosomes and autophagosomes in maintaining synaptic and axonal cellular homeostasis in neurodegenerative diseases; and (3) regulating glial-axon transcellular signaling in maintaining axonal and presynaptic energetic metabolism.
The lab has applied cutting-edge microfluidic chamber technology and live and STED super-resolution imaging of neurons isolated from aged disease mice and human iPSC neurons, combined with in vivo analyses of genetic mouse models with gene rescue. The research in the Sheng lab has provided new mechanistic insights into (1) presynaptic energy-dependent variability and reliability of synaptic transmission; (2) mitochondrial transport and energy metabolism in facilitating CNS regeneration after injury; (3) axonal mitochondrial anchoring and energy maintenance in aging neurons; and (4) axonal autophagy-lysosome transport in the maintenance of degradation capacity. Recent publications from the lab include Cell (2008); Cell Metabolism (2020); Cell Reports (2012, 2013; 2019); Current Biology (2012; 2021); Developmental Cell (2021), EMBO J (2015); JCB (2005; 2013; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2018); Molecular Psychiatry (2020); Nature Cell Biology (2001; 2004); Neuron (2000; 2009; 2010; 2015; 2017); Nature Communication (2019); Nature Metabolism (2020).
The Sheng lab has created an environment for doing innovative and fruitful collaborative research. Former trainees in the lab were awarded NIH K99 or NINDS Competitive Fellowships. Eight of them landed academic positions. The lab is equipped with confocal microscopes (Zeiss LSM880 Airyscan and Olympus FV1000 with TIRF), a Nikon Ti-E motorized inverted stereo microscopy with Neurolucida, one electrophysiological setup, and a Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer for metabolic study. The lab has access to STED microscopy, electron microscope (1200EX JEOL), and state-of-the-art mass spectrometry instruments. The unique open space in Porter Neuroscience Building and extensive infrastructural core facility create an interactive environment. NIH and NINDS provides ample training opportunities for postdoctoral fellows.
Candidates should hold a recent PhD in neurobiology or cell biology with less than 3 years of post-doctoral experience in one of these areas: live imaging of organelle transport and membrane trafficking, energy metabolism, mitochondria biology, lysosome biology, synaptic modulation, nerve injury and regeneration, aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Application Instructions
To apply, please send a statement of research interests, C.V. and the names of 3 references via e-mail to:
Dr. Zu-Hang Sheng
Senior Principal Investigator
Synaptic Functions Section, NINDS, NIH
email: shengz@ninds.nih.gov
Lab web page: https://research.ninds.nih.gov/sheng-lab
The DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers. Positions are subject to a background check. The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.
The Last Update : 5/5/2021