Postdoctoral Fellow

The long-term goal of our lab is to understand how developmental regulatory networks instruct the formation of complex, distinctively-shaped biological structures, such as how bony segments and the number of joint differ between different digits, arise from the identical tissues independent of changes in cellular fate.

As such, our laboratory projects focus on identifying key 'Shh' gene relay signals and their relation to late-signaling centers as well as comparative evolutionary analyses to reveal the regulatory mechanisms underlying these morphology-based adaptations and the dynamic, robust nature of Shh-producing cells.

Recently, we showed that 'Shh' acts as a trigger, not a morphogen, that initiates digit patterning. We discovered that the Shh-producing limb ZPA domain is not a static population, but instead arises from progenitors at the limb border which contribute to ongoing ZPA renewal and characterize progenitor pool regulation. We have also found that the widespread phenomenon of autocrine non-responsiveness in Shh-producing cells is intrinsic and not due to negative-feedback. As such, our lab is examining these mechanistic dicoveries further, as the critical targets of 'Shh' remain unknown.

Prospective applicants should have a strong background in developmental and/or evo-devo biology and the use of molecular-genetic laboratory approaches. Prior experience with cutting-edge genomic approaches is also highly-desirable.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply. NIH welcomes foreign nationals with the exception of individuals from this list.