Bolsa de PD em Biologia Celular e Molecular

Post doctoral fellowship in Cellular and Molecular Biology

• Resumo Summary

  O principal foco de nosso trabalho é desvendar mecanismos utilizados por parasitas de malaria para transdução de sinais químicos no controle de seu ciclo celular. 
  
  Nosso laboratório desenvolveu várias ferramentas para o estudo de dinâmica de cálcio em parasitas de malaria. Dentre estas, o primeiro transgênico GCaMP3 para medir sinalização de cálcio em tempo real em Plasmodium falciparum, sem utilização de métodos invasivos. 
  
  Em adição, utilizamos parasitas nocautes para quinases e GPCR no estudo de função de proteínas de Plasmodium. 
  
  Outra linha de pesquisa em andamento inclui triagem de compostos para busca de novos fármacos no tratamento da malária.
  
  Candidatos devem enviar mensagem para cgarcia@usp.br com CV e carta de recomendação.

  The main focus of the laboratory is unravel the mechanisms used by malaria parasites to transduce environmental signals into the control of its cell cycle. 
  
  In particular we aim at discovering how during the parasite cell cycle, signaling by external signals affects and shapes changes in gene transcription and the activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). 
  
  We use heterologous transfections to dissect the signaling pathways activated by host-pathogen interactions and to understand the role of different parasite genes in Plasmodium invasiveness. Currently, we still do not know the function of about 2,500 genes (i.e., 50 % of Plasmodium Genome). 
  
  Our laboratory has developed a number of tools to study the dynamics of Ca2+ changes in live malaria parasites inside host cells. Among them, the first GCaMP3 transgenic parasite that allows us to study calcium signaling in real time in malária parasite without invasive methods. 
  
  We have discovered that the IP3/calcium signaling pathway regulates different aspects of parasite biology; a key regulator of Plasmodium IP3-Ca2+ signaling is represented by the host hormone melatonin. 
  
  We have identified a knock-out strain, Plasmodium kinase 7 (PfPK7), that has lost the ability to respond to melatonin, opening the way to unravel at the molecular level the signalling pathways that control the parasite cell-cycle.
  
  Our laboratory is also set up for the screening of chemical compounds focusing on the development of new drugs to treat malaria.
  
  For further information please contact cgarcia@usp.br.
  
  This opportunity is open to candidates of any nationalities. The selected candidate will receive a FAPESP’s Post-Doctoral fellowship in the amount of R$ 6,143.40 (around 2,600 USD) monthly and a research contingency fund, equivalent to 15% of the annual value of the fellowship which should be spent in items directly related to the research activity.

  More information about the fellowship is at: www.fapesp.br/en/5427.