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All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
If you have questions, send an email to USDA-ARS@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.
A postdoctoral research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Animal Biosciences & Biotechnology Laboratory (ABBL) in Beltsville, Maryland.
The selected participant will conduct research in an ongoing gene-editing program in swine to develop strategies for the genetic engineering of pig intestinal tissue. The participant is expected to utilize recombinant DNA and gene-editing technologies to elucidate pig intestine/nutrient/microbiome interactions and the effects of antibiotics and antimicrobial growth promoters on these interactions.
The participant will develop and apply site-specific gene modifying technologies to modify intestinal epithelial cell function and metabolism in pigs. Candidates must be willing to work with and handle swine.
The overarching research or problem the candidate will be involved in is the identification and testing of alternatives to antimicrobials/growth promotants (AGPs) that are currently in use by the swine industry. Specifically, the candidate will have the opportunity to learn and practice site-specific gene modifying and transgenic technologies with the ultimate goal of modifying the intestinal function and metabolism of pigs so that AGPs may be reduced or eliminated in the production of pigs.
The participant will learn and implement CRISPR/Cas9 gene targeting in pigs and also take part in related methodologies such as transgene vector design, cell culture, egg culture, and zygote micromanipulation/microinjection. Specifically, the participant will learn how to achieve in vivo intestinal-epithelial-cell-specific gene expression from the villin gene promoter of the pig. The pig villin gene will direct transgene expression to the intestinal epithelial cells of the pig. The participant will make a villin-GFP knockin construct that will be inserted into the pig villin gene at the sequences encoding the 3' non-translated region of the mRNA. The participant will learn how to construct Cas9/guide RNA complexes for coinjected with the villin-GFP construct into in vivo matured, in vitro fertilized single cell embryos, or for transfection into cultured pig cells. The participant will learn about the culture of the injected embryos and their transfer into estrus synchronized recipient sows. The participant will take part in the genotyping of the resulting fetuses (at d 60 of pregnancy), by learning and applying PCR to confirm the successful gene targeting of the villin allele. The participant will learn and take part in the analysis of the fetal tissue for GFP expression using fluorescent microscopy.
The participant will have learning opportunities in a range of ancillary molecular biological techniques (e.g., transgene mammalian expression optimization, construction of mammalian expression vectors, transfection of cultured cells) pertinent to the genetic modification of mammals. Additionally, the participant will be gain experience and knowledge in a variety of subjects such as animal physiology (particularly gut physiology), cell biology, embryology and immunology.
The participant will have opportunities for intellectual growth and professional development by training with recognized experts in CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genetic modification of mammals, porcine reproductive physiology, porcine nutrition, mammalian microbiome analysis, mammalian cell and egg culture, and mammalian embryo micromanipulation/microinjection. Also, the greater Washington, D.C. area affords numerous opportunities for intellectual growth and professional development from being in close proximity to many research institutions such as the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, and the NIH. The participant will be encouraged to attend area scientific seminars pertinent to their research assignments and will be encouraged to present their research findings at national scientific meetings.
This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and ARS. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of ARS and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
For more information about the ARS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.
Applicants should have a PhD in molecular biology, reproductive biology or mammalian gut physiology with a high degree of proficiency in recombinant DNA/molecular biology laboratory techniques. Although not required, applicants with prior experience in gene-editing or genetic engineering techniques are preferred.
Preferred Skills:
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