Summary
A postdoctoral associate position is available in Dr. Xia Gao's laboratory in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine. We are interested in the interactions of nutrition, metabolism, and the development and treatment of metabolic diseases such as obesity and cancer. The goal is to identify nutritional interventions and metabolic pathways for prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases. We employ untargeted and targeted metabolomic analysis and isotope tracing studies using newly vested in-house Thermo Exploris 480 LC/MS instrument. Along with this powerful analytical tool, we use various in vivo mouse models and in vitro models to define the role of nutritional input and the underlying mechanisms in disease development and control. For instance, we have recently (Nature, 2019) employed metabolomics approaches to show that dietary methionine restriction is an effective and feasible dietary intervention in healthy humans and mice to alter circulating metabolism without overt side effect. Dietary methionine restriction has shown promising in various mouse cancer models alone or in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
- Define the mechanisms underlying methionine restriction mediated tumor inhibition
- Determine the therapeutic potential of dietary methionine restriction in various cancer types and stages
- Investigate amino acid metabolism in adipogenesis
Job Duties
- Plans, directs and conducts specialized and advanced research experiments.
- Evaluates and analyzes data.
- May establish new research protocols and procedures.
- Summarizes research findings and publish results in research journals.
- May be responsible for laboratory operations.
- May supervise research staff.
Minimum Qualifications
- MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
- No experience required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ph.D. or M.D. interested in our research and with prior experience or expertise in analytical chemistry, cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, mouse physiology, metabolism, cancer, diabetes, and others are encouraged to apply.
Work Authorization Requirement:
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.
Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.