Postdoctoral fellow in high-throughput ion channel genetics

The Glazer lab is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to perform high-throughput in vitro studies of variants in ion channel genes associated with congenital arrhythmias and other “channelopathy” disorders. These studies help inform basic biology of these genes as well as help inform the clinical classification of these variants when they appear in patients. The position is located at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Applicants should hold or be projected to hold a Ph.D. Experience in molecular biology, ion channel biology, high-throughput sequencing, and/or genetics is relevant for this position, although applicants with a variety of backgrounds will be considered. Applicants from groups traditionally underrepresented in biology research are encouraged to apply.

Deep mutational scanning

Deep Mutational Scanning involves making comprehensive libraries of all possible variants in a gene, and deploying selection assays coupled to high-throughput sequencing to generate a catalog of all functional or dysfunctional variants. Our group has developed methods to scan arrhythmia genes, with a focus on cardiac ion channels. The project involves scanning over 10 genes linked to congenital arrhythmias, several of which are underway. This project is funded by two large grants.

https://news.vumc.org/2022/09/13/vumc-leads-effort-to-map-heart-disease-causing-genetic-variations/

Automated patch clamping 

Traditionally, ion channel variants are studied by manual patch clamping. We have helped pioneer the use of automated patch clamping to study ion channel variants. We use a robotic 384-well instrument, the SyncroPatch, to rapidly characterize hundreds of cells. This approach allows the characterization of dozens to hundreds of ion channel variants. This project is about to be funded by a large grant (summer 2023).

Environment

Andrew Glazer, Ph.D. is a K99/R00-funded assistant professor. Dr. Glazer is a geneticist with a long-standing interest in using high-throughput methods to evaluate Mendelian disease variants. He established his lab in Summer 2021.

We are affiliated with the Vanderbilt Center for Arrhythmia Research and Therapeutics (VanCART), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, and Vanderbilt Genetics Institute (VGI). The fellow will be encouraged to participate in the Clinical Pharmacology Fellows program, VanCART and VGI conferences, and present at national or international conferences.

We are active members of the CardioVar consortium, which includes groups at Vanderbilt University, Stanford University, the University of Toronto, and Harvard University. CardioVar’s goal is to carry out comprehensive mutational studies of dozens of genes related to Mendelian cardiac conditions, with a focus on arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, and lipid conditions. The consortium members have regular meetings where they discuss progress and exchange materials and methods.

To apply, please email andrew.m.glazer@vumc.org. Applicants should include a CV and a short description of research interests.