Postdoctoral positions available to study the structure, function and disease implications of a group of membrane proteins called uroplakins, major differentiation products of bladder epithelium. Uroplakin complexes form 2D crystals (urothelial plaques) covering almost the entire apical surface of bladder epithelium. Uroplakins provide unique model system to study membrane structure and assembly, and are involved in urinary tract infection (Kidney International 75, 1153, 2009). Work in a multidisciplinary team consisting of five PI’s: Xiangpeng Kong (Assoc Prof Biochem, structural biology), Gert Kreibich (Prof Cell Biol, membrane trafficking), Angel Pellicer (Prof Pathol, bladder tumorigenesis), Tung-Tien Sun (Prof Cell Biol, epithelial growth and differentiation) and Xue-Ru Wu (Prof Urol and Pathology; urinary tract infection and bladder tumorigenesis). Background in membrane trafficking, molecular microbiology, lipid biochemisty, signal transduction and/or molecular biology helpful. Excellent training in research methodology (Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 5, 577, 2004).

Wu, X.R., Kong, X.P., Pellicer, A., Kreibich, G., and Sun, T.T. (2009). Uroplakins in urothelial biology, function, and disease. Kidney Int 75, 1153-1165.

Sun, T.T. (2004). Excessive trust in authorities and its influence on experimental design. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 5, 577-581.

To apply: Email CV and a list of three references to Dr Tung-Tien Sun at tungtien.sun@nyumc.org.

NYU School of Medicine: one of the nation's leading centers of advanced biomedical learning, spans a history of excellence of nearly 160 years in the education and training of physicians, in patient care, and in scientific research. The School of Medicine's mission remains the same as was at its founding in 1841: "The pursuit and delivery of the highest quality patient care, medical training, and scientific research must be accomplished in a setting of excellence at the highest level of human achievement."