Research Associate

Research Associate

Requirements

• PhD in molecular biology or relevant biomedical Sciences.
• A strong background in iPSCs- muscle derived cells.
• In vivo experience with mice handling, maintenance, and experimental procedures.
• A strong experience in molecular and cell biology techniques, cell culture, immunocytochemistry, microscopy, and RNA analysis.
• Experience with flow cytometry.
• Preferred experience in coding and AI for miRNA design, and bioinformatics.
• Preferred experience in muscle dystrophy diseases/ muscle biology/ muscle stem regeneration and RNA interference.

Responsibilities

• Designing and performing experimental procedures related to CRISPR-based RNA editing and microRNAs for silencing the mutant PABPN1.
• Evaluating the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) encapsulating CRISPR RNA-editing components and miRNAs in OPMD iPSCs-derived muscle cells and in a mouse model of OPMD.
• Conducting preclinical experiments including developing and optimizing different RNA cargos, differentiating iPSCs into muscle cells, and thawing the cryopreserve of OPMD mouse cells and colony establishment.
• Performing functional analysis to measure the effects of CRISPR-RNA editing/miRNAs at the RNA and protein levels (QPCR and Western blot), immunocytochemistry, and cell viability assays in OPMD iPSCs-muscle cells.
• Evaluating the efficacy and safety of the best RNA cargo(s) in vivo.
• Independently refining and optimizing experimental design and methods based on pilot testing of novel tasks.
• Analyzing data, writing drafts of manuscripts, and contributing to the writing of grants.
• Assisting in writing grants to secure funding for the translational R&D program leading to IND-enabling studies and participating in the supervision of technicians.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred experience in coding and AI for miRNA design, and bioinformatics.
• Preferred experience in muscle dystrophy diseases/ muscle biology/ muscle stem regeneration and RNA interference.