A postdoctoral position is available in the McKinney-Freeman laboratory of the Department of Hematology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memphis, Tennessee, USA) to study hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) function during chronic hematologic disease.

HSCs represent the most therapeutically exploited adult stem cell compartment, used routinely to treat leukemia and hematologic disease via HSC transplantation. Indeed, HSC transplantation represents the only cure for Sickle Cell Disease, including autologous HSC transplantation combined with gene therapy. Here, our major goals are to better understand how elevated hematopoietic demand and chronic inflammation associated with Sickle Cell Disease perturbs the phenotype and function of HSCs. We employ both genetic mammalian model systems and primary patient samples to pursue these aims. 

We hope to leverage this knowledge to design therapies targeted at improving HSC transplantation for hematologic disease and gene therapy, as well as illuminate mechanisms of hematopoietic failure during chronic hematologic disease.

The successful candidate will employ mouse genetics, ex vivo cell culture, flow cytometry, molecular biology, single cell transcriptomics and xenografts to study both mouse and human HSCs.  This position is ideal for someone with a Ph.D and/or M.D. seeking to develop expertise in stem cell biology and hematologic disease in an intimate and vibrant laboratory setting. 

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, is a premier center for research and treatment of potentially fatal childhood diseases, including cancer and certain blood, genetic, and immunodeficiency disorders. The hospital’s mission is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. St. Jude is dedicated to providing unsurpassed patient care and to advancing the health of children through biomedical research.

If interested, please contact Shannon McKinney-Freeman at Shannon.mckinney-freeman@stjude.org

See also:  http://www.stjuderesearch.org/site/lab/mckinney-freeman

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