A postdoctoral position is available in the Wilde lab in the Department of Urology, Roswell Park, an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. The main goals of our lab are to 1) decipher the mechanisms by which metabolites regulate tumor initiation, and 2) identify metabolic liabilities of tumor initiation, especially in the context of hereditary cancers.
Decades of research on cancer metabolism has addressed how metabolism supports growth of established tumors; however, little is known about the role of metabolites in regulating the initiation and evolutionary trajectories of tumors. Our overarching goal is to elucidate the mechanisms by which metabolites regulate oncogenic initiation, all while innovating strategies to target metabolism to prevent cancer.
The central role of metabolism in oncogenic initiation is highlighted by the discovery of oncometabolites, which are metabolites that can drive tumorigenesis when aberrantly accumulated. Our prior work on fumarate-driven renal cell cancers (RCCs) provided mechanistic insight into how the oncometabolite fumarate drives tumor growth and serves as a platform for investigating the role of metabolism in oncogenic initiation (Wilde et al. Cancer Discovery 2023).
The project will involve extensive work with genetically engineered mouse models, xenograft/allograft models, and cell culture. Expertise in basic molecular biology and biochemistry techniques, including molecular cloning, viral gene delivery systems, CRISPR/Cas9 editing, protein purification, and basic bioinformatics skills, is required.
A track record of scientific productivity and good verbal and written communication skills are required.
Minimum requirements:
PhD in a related discipline and be capable of doing independent research and collaborating with investigators at Roswell Park.
Suitable candidates should submit the NIH biosketch and/or full CV with the names of 3 referees to:
Dr. Blake Wilde
Assistant Professor
Department of Urology
Blake.Wilde@RoswellPark.org