1. Ophthalmology, Biomedical Engineering: Imaging ocular disease and image processing of spectral/Fourier domain optical coherence tomography

The post-doctoral scientist will gain valuable experience in the application of modern image processing and computer-aided design (CAD) techniques in an exciting new medical imaging modality, spectral/Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT).

The scientist will work in a unique multidisciplinary environment involving close collaboration of leading clinician-scientists and engineers, and will thus gain exposure to cutting-edge methods and technologies in clinical ophthalmology, genetic medicine and phenotyping, as well as coherent signal and image processing. Following successful completion of this research project, the scientist will be well suited for faculty or research positions in biomedical engineering, biophysics, and ophthalmology. The faculty mentors, Cynthia Toth, MD, and Joseph Izatt, PhD, have very successful track records in placement of trainees in faculty positions in the US and internationally.

For more information contact Cynthia Toth, MD, by telephone 919-684-5631, by email cynthia.toth@duke.edu or Joseph Izatt, PhD, by telephone 919-660-5128, by email jizatt@duke.edu

2. Molecular and physiological analysis of RanBP2 and its molecular partners in cell function and disease. Positions are available to study a large scaffold protein, RanBP2, and its interacting components. RanBP2 is a vital and pleiotropic protein, which has been implicated as a "signal integrator" of nucleocytoplasmic and other trafficking and signaling pathways. This is achieved by the RanBP2-mediated recruitment and modulation of several protein partners involved in nuclear export, cytoplasmic transport and protein biogenesis. Recent molecular and genetic evidence with mouse models from our laboratory have implicated RanBP2 in modulating the activity of components linked to mitochondrial function and hence, metabolism. Future work is directed toward the functional understanding and pharmacological and genetic manipulation of the signaling biological unit assembled by RanBP2 in cell function, animal physiology, and pathogenesis of human diseases.

3. Molecular pathogenesis of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa type 3 (XlRP3) Positions are available to investigate the molecular pathogenesis of retinitis pigmentosa, a congenital and progressive neurodegenerative disorder leading to blindness. XlRP3 is an extremely severe and prevalent congenital neuroretinopathy leading to the death of photoreceptor cells. We identified retinal protein isoforms, RPGRIPs, which interact in vivo and in vitro with the XlRP3 gene product, RPGR. These proteins seem to mediate vesicular-trafficking processes and thus, XlRP3-associated mutations may disrupt trafficking routes essential for photoreceptor function and survival. Recently, mutations in RPGRIP gene were found to lead to Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) in the human, a severe congenital and neurodegenerative retinopathy. Future work is focused on dissecting the biological role of these proteins in retinal function, molecular pathogenesis of XlRP3 and allied diseases and development of therapeutic approaches that delay the onset or cure XlRP3 and associated degenerative neuropathies.

Paulo A. Ferreira, PhD