NIH-supported positions are available immediately for outstanding candidates to study the role of the small G-protein Rap1 in signal transduction and oncogenesis. Current projects include:

1- Role of Rap1 and its GEFs in cAMP-dependent cell proliferation (PNAS 95:7475-7479; PNAS 99(8): 5418-23).
2- Role of Rap1 and its PKA-dependent phosphorylation on Akt regulation (J Biol Chem. 277(36): 32799-806).
3- Development of transgenic and knock-in animal models to study the tumorigenic properties of Rap1b.
4- Mechanism of Rap1 activation in vitro and in vivo utilizing a newly developed FRET –based assay.
5- Role of Rap1 phosphorylation on effector especificity.

Successful applicants should be well trained in at least one of the following areas: protein biochemistry, quantitative fluorescence microscopy, molecular and cell biology, transgenic/knock-out mice analysis.
If interested, please send or e-mail curriculum vitae along with the names and contact information for three references to:

Daniel Altschuler, PhD.
E1348 Biomedical Science Tower
Department of Pharmacology
School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15261

Ph: (412) 648-9751
Fx: (412) 648-1945
e-mail: altschul@server.pharm.pitt.edu