Scholarship: $53,760/year
Degree: PhD
Nationality: International Students
Location: USA
Application deadlines: Valid on a permanent basis.
Scholarship Description:
Dr. Ji Zhang received his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Nanjing University in 2002 and his PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Tennessee in 2008 under the supervision of Dr. Paul Ney at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In 2017, Dr. Zhang joined Indiana University School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor and has published several papers as a corresponding author in Cell Metabolism, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Oncogene and other journals. He has published several papers in Cell Metabolism, Journal of Biological Chemistry, Oncogene, etc.
Available Subjects:
- (1). Understanding the role of amino acid sensing pathway in nutrient restriction-based therapy in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We recently identified that the general control nonderepressible (GCN2) pathway plays a critical role in driving L-asparaginase resistance in ALL patients (Jiang et.al, 2019). In this project, we will use mouse genetic models and pharmacological approaches to elucidate the role of GCN2 in leukemia progression and responses to chemotherapy. In addition, we will combine single cell sequencing technology to understand the metabolic heterogeneity in contributing to the therapeutic resistance in ALL patients.
- (2). Elucidating the role of amino acid restriction on epigenetic regulation, stem cell function and cell fate decision. Our ongoing work identified that amino acid restriction drives global histone methylation. Combining biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology approaches, we are elucidating the molecular mechanism by which amino acid restriction alters histone methylation/demethylation status, and its biological impact on cell fate decision during metabolic stress. We will also apply immune cells and hematopoietic stem cells as models to explore the potential to modulate amino acid accessibility to alter their function through epigenetic regulation.
Eligibility criteria:
- Successful candidates must have a doctorate or terminal degree with strong research background in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology and/or Genetics.
- Experience in mouse genetics and hematopoiesis is preferred
Application Procedure:
- Please send your CV, a cover letter describing your research interest, and names of three references to Dr. Ji Zhang (jzh1@iu.edu).