Department - Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
• Graduate
Postdoctoral and GRA Position - Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Introduction
Ambros and Ruvkun were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for the transformative discovery of microRNA. The finding of microRNAs has led to a fundament paradigm shift in our understanding of cellular function at a molecular level. Although they are hundreds of times smaller than mRNA to code protein, the over 2,000 unique sequences discovered in humans regulate 70% of cell function by modulating the translation of mRNA to protein. This makes cells with identical DNA in our body different from each other, and changes in amounts of specific miRNA sequences can lead to diseases. miRNA are considered rock stars for early detection of diseases, determine efficacy of therapy, and as drugs acting at a genetic level.
Tools are needed to leverage the full impact of miRNA as a molecular principal to personalize medicine for individual patients. At the most basic level, unlike mutation analysis of DNA by Next Generation Sequencing; expression levels of mRNA by qPCR; direct analysis of miRNAs is still an outstanding challenge because they are small, and their abundance is thousands of fold smaller than mRNA. Furthermore, target miRNAs can range over six orders of magnitude.
In the last three years, we have invented, patented and published an instrument that can measure miRNA from 10 attomolars to 1 nanomolar, a thousand fold improvement over qPCR, the gold standard for quantification.
Position
Conducting research in high-impact applications in biology and medicine using our unique platform of precision quantification of miRNAs. For example: Early diagnosis of diseases, including cancer, heart and mental health. Monitoring of therapy before clinical signature appear. Measuring transformation of stem cells due to physical and chemical environmental modulations that may have implication in cell-therapy and pollution impact.
Graduate Student and Post Doc
Passionate about research; problem solving; and creative “disruptive” thinking. Highly receptive to multidisciplinary research. Interest in measurement science with keen interest in biophysics and medical impact. Although most of the background will be acquired in the lab, hands-on experience in biophysics and/or measurement science will be highly preferred.
Start Date: Spring 2025
Salary: Prescribed by College of Engineering and NIH Program
Appointment: Grad student (Full term); Post Doc (>1 yr.)
References on request: Publications on the instrument and its performance, and benchmark with qPCR
Who should apply: Rising seniors in STEM and above. Email Dr. Saraf at rsaraf2@unl.edu