Jobs

The Heitman Lab at Duke University is seeking applications for Postdoctoral Research Fellowships. The lab focuses on molecular determinants of development and virulence in the pathogenic basidiomycetes Cryptocococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii with complementary studies in model systems (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and other fungi and pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans, other Candida species, Phycomyces blakesleeanus, and Cryptococcus amylolentus and Filobasidiella depauperata and other related basidiomycetes). Areas of research interest include: the structure, function, and evolution of the mating type locus that contributes to virulence, establishes cell type identity, and orchestrates the sexual cycle; the role of the protein phosphatase calcineurin in fungal virulence and as a novel antifungal drug target; the role of sex in the evolution of microbial virulence; comparative fungal genomics of a species cluster of human fungal pathogens; the application of genome-wide mutagenesis and transcriptional analysis to define the molecular networks that operate during infection of the host and development; mechanisms of nutrient sensing during fungal dimorphic transitions; and the mechanisms of action of natural products and antifungal drugs.

Recent advances have led to the emergence of Cryptococcus as a model pathogen and basidiomycete. The genomes have been completed for five strains spanning related sibling species, a genome-wide insertional mutagenesis approach with signature tagged markers and agrobacterium has been implemented, whole genome and MAT locus microarrays are available, and the system affords well developed molecular and genetic tools (congenic strains, gene disruption approaches), and a series of robust animal models, including both mammalian and heterologous hosts (insects, nematodes, plants). The lab is part of the Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, providing strong interactions with other investigators.

Graduates of the lab now in faculty positions include Mike Lorenz (University of Texas, Houston), Andy Alspaugh (Duke), Christina Hull (University of Wisconsin), Ping Wang and Debbie Fox (Children’s Research Institute, New Orleans), Xuewen Pan (Baylor College of Medicine), James Fraser (University of Queensland), Julian Rutherford (University of Newcastle), Sun Bahn (Soongsil University), Xiaorong Lin (Texas A&M), Kirsten Nielsen (University of Minnesota), and Alex Idnurm (University of Missouri).