Archive for category: News

NEW: Directed Differentiation Core Services

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PI: April Craft, PhD

Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, BCH, HMS; Affiliate Faculty, Stem Cells & Regenerative Biology; Principal Faculty, Harvard Stem Cell Institute; Co-Director, Musculoskeletal Disease Program, HSCI

Email:  april.craft@childrens.harvard.edu              Longwood office: (617) 919-4495

Overview

The Craft lab develops and uses directed differentiation protocols for various skeletal and joint lineages from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including both embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, to study cell and tissue development and disease pathology.  Dr. Craft has been trained in the derivation of various mesoderm and endoderm lineages, with a focus on mesoderm-derived chondrocytes, articular and growth plate cartilage tissues, and cardiac lineages, and has new technologies emerging for tendon-ligament fibroblasts.  These existing protocols provide access to primitive streak mesoderm, endoderm, as well as paraxial mesoderm and mesenchymal-like progenitors.

            Dr. Craft and her lab are available to discuss investigator-driven projects, experimental design, and provide hands-on training for generating working stocks of human iPSCs/ESCs and mouse PSCs, directed differentiations, deriving appropriate culture conditions and media compositions to support novel protocols, and troubleshooting existing protocols.  We also have experience with culturing and manipulating primary human skeletal cells (primarily chondrocytes and connective tissue lineages) and mouse embryonic limb bud micromass cultures. Our lab has purchased lot-tested reagents in bulk and we have a supportive infrastructure in place so that variability in PSC differentiations is minimized.

Example Services

  • Consultation with Dr. Craft (required)
    • 1 hour complementary to CSR members and trainees; over 1 hour – $100/hr
  • Training or production in Craft lab
    • IPSC/ESC expansion and creation of master stock and working stocks (~50-100 vials total) ~ $1450
    • Human iPSC/ESC directed differentiation (full-length experiment) ~ $2000-2600
      • Imaging: EVOS fluorescent microscope, Leica bright field microscope, Zeiss confocal
      • Flow cytometry available ($45/hr + antibody) in BCH core via Craft lab
      • Other analyses such as RNA/histo at investigator’s expense
    • Mouse ESC/iPSC expansion and/or differentiation ~ $700-900
    • Mouse limb bud micromass training ~ $550-900 (timed pregnant mice can be purchased if needed)

NEW CORE: Arthritis and Joint Structure Core

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Innovation Award for use of new Arthritis and Joint Structure Core

Click Here to access the application. Email filled out applications to CSRmail@partners.org.

  • This award will provide up to $5000 to support use of Arthritis and Joint Structure Core
  • Due date: The 15th of each month. Applications will be reviewed on a monthly basis.  First award(s) will be available Feb 1, 2023
  • Awardee must use the MGH CSR Arthritis and Joint Structure Core’s consultation services. Use of funds for other P30 core services (for phenotypic analyses) is permitted.
  • Funds must be used within 6 months of award date.
  • Recipients of funds will be required to submit a one page written report of experimental methods and preliminary results before Sept 20, 2023 (date TBD)
  • Awardee must cite this support and core contributions in relevant publications.

 

Mission of the core:

The core aims to address a need to support CSR musculoskeletal researchers to expand their studies from their original research toward the understanding of the mechanism of joint diseases, including osteoarthritis, osteoimmunology and joint structure pathology. The core directors will provide consultative services to CSR members to embark on a pilot project in these specific areas.  The services will include identification of scientists with expertise in the area of interest, support for the design of studies to obtain preliminary data (including choice of model systems, specific experimental approaches), advice about potential pitfalls and data interpretation.   The core members will provide a platform to discuss experimental problems, plan for workshops and educational activities in this area.

 

The expertise of the core directors is as follows:

  • Li Zeng will advise on osteoarthritis models, including injury-induced animal models and human in vitro models, histological analysis of joint structures and advanced imaging technologies to visualize joint changes.
  • Iannis Adamopoulos will advise on models of inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, as well as histological and osteoimmunological analysis of these models.
  • Jaehyuck Shim will advise on models of rheumatoid arthritis, including TNF mouse models, SKG model of RA, and serum transfer arthritis models. He will also advise on approaches of microCT, histology, morphology and AAV targeting.
  • Eva Liu will advise on the analysis of the enthesis, including pathophysiology, molecular techniques, histology, mouse models and imaging.

A consultation with at least one core director is required prior to the studies being undertaken.  Consultations during preparation of the submission are encouraged.

How does the core work:

The service will be offered in the following ways:

  • P30 investigator approaches the core and presents specific requests.
  • The core as a group will discuss how to best support the studies proposed. Then we will identify the investigator within our group with the most appropriate expertise to support the CSR member.
  • The investigator will submit a budget, which can be consultative services including training in experimental techniques and/or technical Core services.
  • The core will review the request and the budget (Expertise and technical).

Consultation structure:

  • First meeting: free: 1hr limit.
  • The second meeting will be charged at $100/hr.

Analysis costs

  • Refer to CSR web site for cost of microCT, histology and histomorphometry consultation. Histomorphometry consultations will be provided by the Arthritis and Joint Structure Core directors

 

CSR Mentee Survey for CSR Trainees

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CSR Mentorship Program Survey

Are you interested in participating in a mentorship program sponsored by the CSR?
Organization
Learning about funding opportunities available to trainees.
Select your level of interest
Finding, interviewing and securing a transition to industry.
Select your level of interest
Managing promotions, negotiations and conflict resolution with your mentors/institute.
Select your level of interest
Finding and securing junior faculty positions in academia.
Select your level of interest
Learning to successfully balance your work/life.
Select your level of interest
Establishing milestones, knowing when to leave, and establishing the best transition to another training opportunity.
Select your level of interest
Determining the best training strategy that will make you a competitive candidate in industry or in academia.
Select your level of interest
Crafting a grant and getting feedback on your grants.
Select your level of interest
Planning a strategy to establish independence from your mentor both scientifically and professionally (i.e. forming your own collaborations/networks/conferences).
Select your level of interest
Learning how to write a manuscript
Select your level of interest
Establishing collaborations with industry & alternative career options.
Select your level of interest

Postdoc Opportunity in Bone Mechanobiology, BU – Prof. Elise Morgan lab

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Postdoc Opportunity in Bone Mechanobiology

We are seeking outstanding candidates for a postdoctoral position in bone mechanobiology at Boston University. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in biology, engineering, biochemistry, or a related technical field. Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:  cell culture, surgical procedures in small animals, histology, RNAseq, immunohistochemistry. The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to work closely with project collaborators in the College of Engineering, School of Medicine, and School of Dental Medicine at BU, as well as with industry collaborators. Interested individuals should contact Prof. Elise Morgan, efmorgan@bu.edu.

Two post-doctoral associate positions – 1) Cartilage Regeneration & Osteoarthritis and 2) Cancer Basic or Translational Research, Boston University – Dr. Bais Lab

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Two post-doctoral associate positions available at Bais Lab related to 1) cartilage regeneration and osteoarthritis 2) cancer basic or translational research

Location: Boston University, Bais lab.

 

Excellent opportunities for candidates to learn and apply innovative thinking in target focused research with cutting-edge tools including signaling pathways to translational animal models.  We are interested in candidates having related expertise in one of the 2 areas.

Project 1: Cartilage regeneration, osteoarthritis, tissue regeneration: The goal of this project is to identify cartilage regeneration or protective agents, and biologics for preclinical and clinical application.

Project 2: The goal of the study in NIH funded grant is to evaluate 1) the role of Lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A) in squamous cell carcinoma of oral cancer and other cancer types, 2) chemotherapy and immunotherapy combination for future therapeutic applications. The project is in continuation to published studies PMID: 35105672, DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-21-0310 and PMID: 29088714, DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.19637

 

Qualifications:

PhD, DVM or MD in cancer biology, epigenetics, immunology, molecular biology, cell biology, Biotechnology and relevant fields

Required expertise

Project 1 and 2:

  • RT-qPCR, Western blot, signaling pathways analysis, lentivirus, Adeno or AAV mediated transduction, CRISPR/Cas9, cell culture, primary cells handling, tissue regeneration, stem cells and immunophenotyping
  • Knowledge of proteomics, genomics and single-cell RNAseq analysis are useful but not required.

Project 2:

  • Multi-color flow cytometry and histology expertise are preferred
  • In vivo mouse handling, tissue dissection, genotyping, histology, and histopathology, Xenograft, orthotopic, and immuno-oncology mouse models
  • Good communication skills, enthusiastic and positive team player.
  • Strong publication record from previous studies.

 

Please send a resume and letters to bmanish@bu.edu. Available immediately.

Research Technician Position, Endocrine Unit – Dr. Marie Demay Lab

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A Research Laboratory Technician position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Marie Demay in the Endocrine Unit MGH. The Research Laboratory Technician I is a full-time position, and the primary responsibility is to assist in ongoing research studies under the supervision of a Principal Investigator. This includes collection of and accurate recording of procedures and results, maintenance of databases used in the lab, ordering necessary reagents to conduct experiments, and participation in joint upkeep of the lab. This position requires a person who has Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry, molecular/cell biology or a related field, pays attention to details, is capable of working independently after training, possesses good verbal and written communication skills, and works well as part of a team.

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For more details, please visit MGH Careers (Job ID 3196625)

Click here for more information 

MGH Endocrine Unit Faculty Position

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Faculty Position

Instructor/Assistant Professor 

Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School 

The Endocrine Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School invites applications for a Junior Faculty position at the Instructor/Assistant Professor level.

Outstanding scientists in the field of basic/translational research will be considered. Candidates with a research program focused on hormonal signaling, molecular and cell biology, developmental biology, or tissue regeneration using molecular, cellular, or animal systems are encouraged to apply.  Potential relevance of research topic to bone, cartilage, or mineral metabolism is preferred but not required.

The successful candidate will receive a startup package and competitive salary, be a member of the Endocrine Division of the MGH and faculty of Harvard Medical School and will be expected to initiate and lead an independent, innovative, externally funded research program.  Strong preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated the ability to obtain external funding.

Appointments at Harvard Medical School will be commensurate with experience, training, and achievements in addition to teaching activities.

Suitable candidates will have a Ph.D., D.M.D, and/or M.D. degree from a CODA accredited school, or equivalent.

Interested candidates should send a personal statement, three potential referees, and a Curriculum Vitae by March 15, 2022 to Dr. Michael Mannstadt c/o Olga Katsovskiy at okatsovskiy@mgh.harvard.edu.

Review of applications will begin immediately, and interviews will start in March 2022.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law.

 

Searching for members for New Directions Committee

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The Program Directors of the Center for Skeletal Research would like your help in thinking about new directions, new areas of emphasis that the Center can consider moving into.  Our Center is now about eight years old.  While we have introduced a number of new initiatives in the last few years, there is always the danger that we might not be looking at current bone biology with the freshest perspectives.  When the Center goes to NIH hoping to renew the grant (or in NIH terminology, apply again for a new grant), we are likely to have some changes in leadership and emphasis, and we want to make changes in the most thoughtful way possible.  For this reason we would like to establish a New Directions Committee, with the mission of surveying the field and the capabilities in the Boston area to then come up with suggestions for modifying current cores or establishing completely new cores with new goals.  If you would be interested in joining this effort, please let us know by e-mailing CSRmail@partners.org, and we’ll organize next steps.