Drs. Derbyshire and Gray have backgrounds in prokaryotic and human molecular biology respectively, and now we combine our expertise and enthusiasm in deciphering the molecular biology of mycobacteria. We use the genetically amenable Mycobacterium smegmatis as a model organism for our studies into gene expression, cell-cell-communication, protein secretion and conjugative transfer of chromosomal DNA. We use a combination of standard molecular genetic and genomic approaches, such as RNA-seq, ribo-seq and whole genome sequencing, to provide molecular insight into mechanism and genome architecture.

Join Our Laboratory!

We currently have research positions in the laboratory for a postdoctoral fellow and research technician. The current projects available may vary, but if you are interested in a specific research area we are happy to consider your preferences and suggestions! Please send your resume and a description of your research interests to Health Research Incorporated_[1]. 

Senior Laboratory Technician JR-0002036

Senior Laboratory Technician JR-0002036_[2]

Applications due 3/24/26

Health Research Inc. is seeking a Senior Laboratory Technician to work within the Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health. The Senior Laboratory Technician will assist in supporting staff studying mycobacterial gene expression, gene function, and signal transduction in experimental models. The incumbent in this position will set up experiments at the bench to grow and manipulate bacteria, using state-of-the-art genetic, molecular biology, and genomic approaches. The incumbent will use assays that include next-generation-sequencing transcriptomics, cell viability, reporter plasmids, fluorescence microscopy and protein-interaction work. Cell-cell communication between mycobacteria is a recent and novel discovery made by the laboratory, and the genes involved in the communication pathway are conserved in both pathogenic and environmental mycobacteria. The goal of this grant-funded research is to functionally characterize cell-cell communication and determine its role in the biology and pathogenesis of mycobacteria. Please visit https://www.wadsworth.org/research/laboratories/derbyshire-gray_[3] for more information.

This position will be part of a dynamic team serving the Wadsworth Center’s mission in the New York State Department of Health’s efforts to protect and promote the health of New York’s citizens. Come be a part of Science in the Pursuit of Health®!

For information on the expression of mycobacterial genes, please visit our Interactive genomics page_[4]. 

We thank the NIH and NSF for their research support.