Education: Postdoctoral and Visiting Scientists
Mobile introns and inteins; DNA-protein interactions
Nucleic acid rearrangements of self-splicing introns are studied at the levels of RNA, DNA and protein accessories. Projects include analysis of catalytic RNAs and DNA-based intron mobility using genetic and biochemical approaches. Nucleic acid-protein interactions are a focus of study. Viable candidates will have choice of projects.
Recent reviews:
- Curcio, M.J. and Belfort, M. (1996) Retrohoming: cDNA-mediated mobility of group II introns requires a catalytic RNA. Cell 84, 9-12.
- Belfort, M. and Weiner, A. (1997) Another bridge between kingdoms: tRNA splicing in archaea and eukaryotes. Cell 89, 1003-1006.
- Lease, R. and Belfort, M. (2000) Riboregulation by DsrA RNA: trans-actions for global economy. Mol. Micro. 38, 667-672.
- Belfort, M., Derbyshire., V., Cousineau, B. and Lambowitz, A. (2002) Mobile introns: pathways and proteins. In Mobile DNA II. ASM Press, 761-783.
- Windbichler, N. and Schroeder, R. (2004) Double duty. News and Views, Nature Struct. Mol. Biol. (2004) /11/, 910-911.
- Curcio, M.J. and Belfort, M. (2007) The beginning of the end: Links between ancient retroelements and modern telomerases. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104, 9107-9108.
The lab is an active one, currently including five post-docs and six graduate students. The DNA, RNA and protein work cross-fertilize each other in many exciting and productive ways and we are particularly fortunate to have useful genetic systems for all studies. The work is performed in the Wadsworth Center, which is part of a modern well-equipped facility that houses a Graduate Program of the State University of New York. The faculty represent a variety of research interests from transposition in prokaryotes and yeast, through transcription in yeast and drosophila, to regulation of gene expression in mice, making for a highly stimulating scientific environment. Also, Albany provides a very satisfying, affordable living environment. We have a consortium of academic institutions in the area, and close access to cultural and recreational (including skiing) facilities and major metropolitan areas (New York, Boston and Montreal).
Experience in genetics, DNA recombination mechanisms, RNA splicing, nucleic acid and/or protein chemistry desirable. Competitive, federally-funded salary (through Health Research, Inc.). Interested candidates should forward their curriculum vitae and have three letters of reference sent to Dr. Marlene Belfort, or to her at: Wadsworth Center, NY State Dept. of Health and Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Box 22002, Albany, NY 12201-2002.