Research Type: POSTDOCS

Many viruses enter their insect hosts by the oral route and must cross the gut epithelium, a barrier that prevents access to the hemocoel and other tissues. Because the mechanisms of viral transit through insect gut cells are poorly understood, our project focuses on fundamental aspects of this important topic. Our current studies aim to […]

Dengue (DEN) is the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral (arboviral) disease in the world; DEN disease incidence has increased dramatically in the last 50 years. Ae. aegypti is the most important vector of DENV to human hosts and the vector remains persistently infected with DENV for life. Understanding interepidemic maintenance of the virus is essential for […]

The Helmann Lab is recruiting postdocs interested in the role of metal ions in determining the outcome of host-microbe interactions. Our group investigates conserved bacterial systems required for the acquisition, storage, trafficking, and export of metal ions. Interested candidates will be able to explore the mechanistic basis of metal ion homeostasis using a variety of […]

My group studies cell envelope stress responses of Gram-negative pathogens. We are defining regulatory pathways and functional networks of enzymes involved in cell wall degradation, modification and synthesis as well as factors required for upholding outer membrane barrier function. We seek to understand these processes to gain insight into the mechanistic underpinnings of cell growth […]

The main focus of our research program is to elucidate key mechanistic components in enveloped viruses and their host cells that: 1) mediate viral entry into cells, 2) elicit cell immune responses, and 3) mediate viral egress from cells. These studies are leading to the development of diagnostic tools, new techniques, antiviral agents, and vaccines. […]

Fast evolving RNA viruses, such as rotavirus, influenza virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and zika virus, are a leading cause of death worldwide and represent a major challenge for global disease control. Despite their small genome size, often comprised of only a few thousand nucleotides and a handful of genes, it remains exceedingly difficult to study […]

The Moreau Lab studies the evolution of symbiosis between animals and their diverse microbial communities. Current work focuses on the benefits of microbial communities for ant hosts from nutrient provisioning to contributions to cuticle formation. Methods include amplicon sequencing, quantification, metagenomics, functional assays, experimental manipulations, and more. This work is deeply rooted in natural history […]

Mosquitoes cause 400,000 malaria deaths and transmit viruses to hundreds of millions. The vectorial capacity of mosquitoes depends on their ability to survive infection. However, it remains unclear what key mechanisms underlie the mosquito tolerance and resistance to infection with multiple microbes (bacteria, fungi, microbiota, viruses). We are particularly interested in approaches ranging from lab controlled […]

The long-term goals served by this project are mechanistic understanding of plant disease and development of broadly effective and durable means of control. The project seeks to structurally and functionally characterize a pathogen-activated host gene that plays a critical role in disease in a major crop species, and to ascertain the potential of strategies to […]

The Moeller Lab studies the evolution of symbiosis between animals and microorganisms. Our current work focuses on vertebrates’ co-evolutionary histories with bacteria through a combination of -omics approaches, gnotobiotic and microbiology experiments, and natural history. We are recruiting highly motivated and independent postdoctoral candidates with training in genomics, population genetics, microbiology, immunology, or related fields. Candidates interested in the genetic […]