Open Postdoctoral position, faculty mentor Ruth Huttenhain

The Huttenhain Lab at Stanford University is looking for postdoctoral fellows to study mechanisms of intracellular signal integration through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).

To elucidate signaling networks of these receptors we employ cutting edge mass spectrometry-based proteomics, functional genomics, and molecular biology techniques. Applicants with expertise and interest in either (1) mass spectrometry-based proteomics and/or CRISPR-based functional genomics, (2) molecular and cell biology including neuroscience, GPCRs or related techniques, and/or (3) computational biology are encouraged to apply.

Lab overview

The communication between cells and their environment depends on decoding of extracellular cues into intracellular signaling cascades that are integrated through dynamic and context-specific networks driving the cellular responses. Given the complexity and dynamic state of signaling networks, the current understanding of their constituents and how they are spatiotemporally regulated in the cell as a result of a specific input is incomplete.

The Huttenhain lab (https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/ruth-huttenhain) in the Molecular & Cellular Physiology Department (https://med.stanford.edu/mcp.html) at Stanford University, studies mechanisms of intracellular signal integration through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest family of membrane receptors mediating most of our physiological responses to hormones, neurotransmitters and environmental stimulants. We employ an interdisciplinary approach to probe, model, and predict how signaling network dynamics translate extracellular cues sensed by GPCRs into specific phenotypic outputs. Developing quantitative proteomics approaches to capture the spatiotemporal organization of signaling networks and combining these with functional genomics and molecular biology techniques to study their impact on physiology, we aim to better understand GPCR signaling and to provide a solid foundation for the design and testing of novel therapeutics targeting GPCRs with higher specificity and efficacy.

Relevant publications

• Lobingier B, Hüttenhain R, Eichel K, Ting AY, Miller KB, von Zastrow M, Krogan NJ. (2017) An approach to spatiotemporally resolve protein interaction networks in living cells. Cell 169, 350-360. PMC5616215.
• Polacco BJ, Lobingier BT, Blythe EE, Abreu N, Xu J, Li Q, Naing ZZC, Shoichet BK, Levitz J, Krogan NJ, Von Zastrow M, Hüttenhain R. (2022) Profiling the diversity of agonist-selective effects on the proximal proteome environment of G protein-coupled receptors. bioRxiv 2022.03.28.486115
• Zhong X, Li Q, Polacco BJ, Patil T, DiBerto JF, Vartak R, Xu J, Marley A, Foussard H, Roth BL, Eckhardt M, Von Zastrow M, Krogan NJ, Hüttenhain R. (2023) An automated proximity proteomics pipeline for subcellular proteome and protein interaction mapping. bioRxiv 2023.04.11.536358

Specific postdoctoral projects may include

• Develop quantitative proteomics and functional genomics approaches to map spatiotemporally resolved interaction and signaling networks of GPCRs.
• Map signaling network dynamics of GPCRs in neuronal systems to uncover novel regulators and mechanisms of neuromodulation.
• Discover mechanisms how diverse ligands targeting GPCRs elicit diverse phenotypic responses.
• Develop computational approaches to model spatiotemporally resolved signaling networks.

Academic environment

Stanford University provides a highly stimulating scientific environment that fosters collaborations and the exchange of ideas within and across disciplines. The Molecular & Cellular Physiology Department (https://med.stanford.edu/mcp.html) offers a world-class scientific environment and supports postdoctoral scholars throughout their postdoc with mentoring and training programs, seminar series, and annual retreats. The Huttenhain lab is committed to foster an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative environment with passion for science and mentorship. Trainees will have access to an outstanding infrastructure and resources including dedicated state-of-the-art mass spectrometers.