Dear Histonetters
Our laboratory has advertised for a registered HT or HTL (ASCP) and the following job description is posted on our university website. Although MS degree was put as the required qualification, a bachelors degree will be closely considered. Bozeman is located 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park, and is a wonderful place to live, ski, fish, hike, climb, mountain bike, hunt, raise a family, and enjoy beautiful mountains surrounding the valley. Please read the following job description and pay close attention to what is written in bold letters. Research Associate of Mucosal Immunology - Pascual Lab , Veterinary Molecular Biology <http://vmb.montana.edu/index.htm> , Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717 Search Number: 1035-3 Required Qualifications: Master's of Science degree, preferably in Immunology, Microbiology, Biology, or closely related field. Preferred Qualifications: HT or HTL(ASCP) registered or registry eligible. Microbiology experience. Experience with rodent tissues. Successful research experience Proficiency in operation and maintenance of automated tissue processor, embedding center, microtome, and cryostats. Proficiency in research tissue cryotomy, including snap freezing and cryosectioning tissues. Extensive experience working with mice or related small animals Ability to design experiments and interpret data. Demonstrated written communication skills $32,000- $38,000 per year depending upon experience, education and qualifications. Duties and Responsibilities include: 1. Test existing and new therapeutics to treat autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalitomyelitis (EAE) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). 2. Process necropsy and biopsy samples using routine or special fixation, dehydration, clearing, embedding, and microtomy for routine H&E. 3. Perform special staining, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent staining, and enzyme histochemistry to determine the involved cell types in the biopsied samples. 4. Possess ability to develop new assays to detect novel cytokines in tissue samples. 5. Possess the ability to interpret the histological data and provide input into the most effective therapeutic regimen. 6. Consult weekly with the PI on the progression of the project, and the PI will assist in the decision process to meet the designated goals. 7. Meet with visiting scientists to exchange ideas and present data at national forums and departmental seminars. 8. Train and supervise graduate or undergraduate students and other laboratory personnel on cryostat and laboratory equipment use and any histotechniques when needed. In an attempt to develop therapeutics for multiple sclerosis (MS) and Information arthritis, human autoimmune degenerative diseases associated with inflammation and destruction of self tissues by autoreactive T cells, we have discovered that our M cell targeting vector when genetically fused with auto-antigen, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties capable of treating inflammatory diseases. One such experimental inflammatory disease, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), resembles MS, upon immunization with myelin peptides or proteins. EAE is a T cell-dependent disease, and these encephalitogenic T cells secrete Th1-type cytokines, including IFN-γ and IL-2, and Th17-type cytokines, including IL-6, IL-17, and IL-21. A number of studies have evaluated whether oral tolerance could be adapted for treating MS but have met with limited success, thus, presenting a major hurdle for implementing treatment of this autoimmune disease. Experimentally, oral tolerance has proven successful for EAE, although it has lagged behind in treatment of MS; however, conceptually, oral tolerance could be an effective means to stimulate anti-inflammatory responses, if appropriately formulated. To enable treatment, we hypothesized that oral administration of our M cell-based therapeutics, when administered to EAE-susceptible mice, will prevent and treat EAE. Likewise, when administered to arthritis-susceptible mice, the same therapeutics can treat collagen-induced arthritis. To test our hypothesis, 1) studies will determine whether the described M cell-based therapeutics can suppresses or bypass inflammation via induction of regulatory T cells or plasmacytoid dendritic cells; 2) studies will determine how these therapeutics operate in treating ongoing EAE or arthritis by conducting adoptive transfer studies; and 3) studies will determine which inflammatory cell pathways are neutralized by treatment with these therapeutics. Thus, from these studies we will learn the specific mechanisms induced by this anti-inflammatory vaccine. Departmental Information: In an attempt to develop therapeutics for multiple sclerosis (MS) and Information arthritis, human autoimmune degenerative diseases associated with inflammation and destruction of self tissues by autoreactive T cells, we have discovered that our M cell targeting vector when genetically fused with auto-antigen, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory properties capable of treating inflammatory diseases. One such experimental inflammatory disease, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), resembles MS, upon immunization with myelin peptides or proteins. EAE is a T cell-dependent disease, and these encephalitogenic T cells secrete Th1-type cytokines, including IFN-γ and IL-2, and Th17-type cytokines, including IL-6, IL-17, and IL-21. A number of studies have evaluated whether oral tolerance could be adapted for treating MS but have met with limited success, thus, presenting a major hurdle for implementing treatment of this autoimmune disease. Experimentally, oral tolerance has proven successful for EAE, although it has lagged behind in treatment of MS; however, conceptually, oral tolerance could be an effective means to stimulate anti-inflammatory responses, if appropriately formulated. To enable treatment, we hypothesized that oral administration of our M cell-based therapeutics, when administered to EAE-susceptible mice, will prevent and treat EAE. Likewise, when administered to arthritis-susceptible mice, the same therapeutics can treat collagen-induced arthritis. To test our hypothesis, 1) studies will determine whether the described M cell-based therapeutics can suppresses or bypass inflammation via induction of regulatory T cells or plasmacytoid dendritic cells; 2) studies will determine how these therapeutics operate in treating ongoing EAE or arthritis by conducting adoptive transfer studies; and 3) studies will determine which inflammatory cell pathways are neutralized by treatment with these therapeutics. Thus, from these studies we will learn the specific mechanisms induced by this anti-inflammatory vaccine. The Successful Candidate Will: Good organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills to accomplish designated goals of this project and ability to work with other investigators Application Procedure: Screening of applications will begin on December 21, 2009 and continue until the position is filled. To apply, submit: 1) a letter of application that addresses the required and preferred qualifications listed above; 2) a resume and 3) the contact information of three professional references. Electronic submissions in PDF to Dr. David Pascual, <mailto:dpasc...@montana.edu> dpasc...@montana.edu _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet