Lin lab Introduction:

Cardiomyocytes (CMs) are building blocks and functional units of the heart, and their dysfunction or loss is the root of heart failure. Similar with other specialized innate immune cells, CMs have their own innate immune molecular machinery. Ischemic or non-ischemic pathological stress activates CM innate immune signaling pathways, which stimulate pro-inflammatory cytokine release and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. These innate immune responses are beneficial for defending CMs against pathogen invasion and for tissue repair, but can also cause myocardial damage.

My lab’s long-term goal is to define novel molecular mechanisms that regulate CM innate immune responses, which will shed light on the pathogenesis of pathogen or non-pathogen related cardiomyopathy. To reach our goal, we perform tissue-specific gene gain- and loss-of-function studies to analyze the pathophysiological roles of Hippo-YAP pathway in the heart. We also use Adeno-associated-virus (AAV) and modified messenger RNA as gene delivery platforms to carry out translational studies, aiming to develop drug candidates for treating cardiovascular diseases.

References:

1. Chen, J., Ma, Q., King, J.S., Sun, Y., Xu, B., Zhang, X., Zohrabian, S., Guo, H., Cai, W., Li, G., Bruno, I., Cooke, J.P., Wang, C., Kontaridis, M., Wang, D.Z., Luo, H., Pu, W.T. and Lin, Z. (2020) aYAP modRNA reduces cardiac inflammation and hypertrophy in a murine ischemia-reperfusion model. Life Sci Alliance 3.

2. Gao, Y., Sun, Y., Ercan-Sencicek, A.G., King, J.S., Akerberg, B.N., Ma, Q., Kontaridis, M.I., Pu, W.T. and Lin, Z. (2021) YAP/TEAD1 Complex Is a Default Repressor of Cardiac Toll-Like Receptor Genes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, 6649.

3. Negron, S.G., Kessinger, C.W., Xu, B., Pu, W.T. and Lin, Z. (2021) Selectively expressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein S1 subunit in cardiomyocytes induces cardiac hypertrophy in mice. bioRxiv

Salary and Benefits:

Salary will be paid according to NIH postdoc stipend guideline. Excellent benefit package.

Research Environment:

The Institute is in close proximity to several academic institutions, including Syracuse University, SUNY Upstate, SUNY Polytechnic, Utica College, Hamilton College, Columbia and Cornell. The MMRI itself houses a diverse spectrum of researchers, all working on a myriad of biological questions. The MMRI and the institutions therein all have extremely active research programs, seminar symposia, and educational opportunities that are open to all fellows therefore providing the fellows with opportunities to benefit from scientific interactions, collaborations, educational activities, and shared facilities.

Research Equipment:

The institute currently has a brand new, full-barrier vivarium space, and building up large animal surgery suite. The small animal imaging core is equipped with cutting edge instruments, including Perkin Elmer Quantum GX µCT imaging system, a Perkin Elmer IVIS Spectrum fluorescence imaging system, and a VisualSonics Vevo 3100 ultrasound imaging system.

The postdoc candidate should be highly motivated, career driven, independent, team working, reliable and have a molecular biology or cell biology background. The candidate should also be willing to work with mouse and manage mouse colonies. Hands on experience working with animals are a bonus but not required.