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Multiple post-doctoral fellow positions are open in the Cianfrocco laboratory at the University of Michigan. Both positions offer huge opportunities for growth and provide cutting-edge instrumentation and collaboration. Please reach out to Mike Cianfrocco if you have questions (mcianfro@umich.edu).
Michael A. Cianfrocco, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Chemistry
Research Assistant Professor, Life Sciences Institute
University of Michigan
Pronouns: he, him, his
Methods development in cryo-EM
They have an NIH-funded post-doctoral fellow position to work as a part of the Magellon cryo-EM automation project. This position will work within a collaborative grant R01GM143805 with the labs of Gabe Lander (The Scripps Research Institute) and Scott Stagg (Florida State University) to develop the next generation of cryo-EM automation and software tools to enable high-throughput cryo-EM. This position will work at the interface of microscope automation, software development, and end-user experience to streamline cryo-EM.
Relevant papers:
Optimized path planning surpasses human efficiency in cryo-EM imaging.
Li Y*, Fan Q*, …, Cianfrocco MA#, Vos S#.
bioRxiv 2022.06.17.496614
CryoRL: Reinforcement Learning Enables Efficient Cryo-EM Data Collection.
Fan Q*, Li Y*,..., Vos S#, Cianfrocco MA#.
arXiv arXiv:2204.07543 (2022).
Mechanisms of kinesin regulation
They have multiple NIH-funded post-doctoral fellow positions to determine how kinesin motor proteins are regulated via inhibitory mechanisms and activated by cargo and cargo adapters (R01GM141119). We are building on two publications that mapped out how kinesin motor proteins are inhibited in trans by kinesin-binding protein and cis via autoinhibition. The state-of-the-art cryo-EM facility and collaborative research environment will allow post-doctoral fellows to open new doors to regulating cargo trafficking.
Relevant papers:
Kinesin-binding protein remodels the kinesin motor to prevent microtubule binding.
Solon AL*, Tan Z*,…, Ohi R#, Cianfrocco MA#.
Science Advances 2021 Nov 19;7(47):eabj9812.
Autoinhibited kinesin-1 adopts a hierarchical folding pattern.
Tan Z, …, Cianfrocco MA#.
eLife 2023 12:RP86776
Cryo-EM at the University of Michigan
The University of Michigan offers state-of-the-art instrumentation and a collaborative training environment for post-doctoral fellows. The Cianfrocco lab has routine access to all cryo-EM instruments on campus (and in our building!): Titan Krios (x2), Talos Arctica, and Glacios. We also have access to an SPT Labtech Chameleon, TFS Aquilos 2, Leica Stellaris cryo-confocal, and two negative stain screening instruments. In addition to instrumentation, the Cianfrocco laboratory has access to high-performance computing and storage at the Life Sciences Institute and through the COSMIC2 science gateway (managed by the lab for the community).
Post-doctoral fellows will also have access to world-class educational resources, which include an annual cryo-EM data processing workshop and working with the lab to develop the cryoEDU educational platform.
University of Michigan Microtubule & Motor Protein Community
Beyond structural biology, the University of Michigan offers a close-knit microtubule and motor protein community that ranges from molecular simulations to biochemistry and structural biology to cell biology with the labs of Morgan DeSantis, Ryoma Ohi, David Sept, and Kristen Verhey. Thet have weekly group meetings and regular social gatherings. Select collaborative works from our microtubule group include:
[Verhey & Cianfrocco labs]
Autoinhibited kinesin-1 adopts a hierarchical folding pattern. eLife 2023
Molecular determinants for α-tubulin methylation by SETD2. J Biol Chem. 2021
A kinesin-1 variant reveals motor-induced microtubule damage in cells. Curr Biol. 2022
[Ohi, Sept, Cianfrocco labs]
Kinesin-binding protein remodels the kinesin motor to prevent microtubule binding. Sci Adv. 2021
[Ohi, Sept, Cianfrocco, Verhey labs]
Parthenolide Destabilizes Microtubules by Covalently Modifying Tubulin. Curr Biol. 2021
[Ohi & Verhey labs]
Mechanistic Analysis of CCP1 in Generating ΔC2 α-Tubulin in Mammalian Cells and Photoreceptor Neurons. Biomolecules. 2023
EML2-S constitutes a new class of proteins that recognizes and regulates the dynamics of tyrosinated microtubules. Curr Biol. 2022
[Sept & Verhey labs]
Neck linker docking is critical for Kinesin-1 force generation in cells but at a cost to motor speed and processivity. Elife. 2019
