Assistant/Associate Project Scientist or Postdoctoral Scholar in Cornea Genetics

Assistant/Associate Project Scientist or Postdoctoral Scholar in Cornea Genetics and Pre-Clinical Gene Therapy Studies The Cornea Genetics Laboratory at the Stein Eye Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles is pleased to announce an opening for a Postdoctoral Scholar or Assistant/Associate Project Scientist. The Laboratory is seeking motivated and accomplished candidates who hold a PhD degree in a relevant field of study, are passionate about translational research, and are eager to contribute to innovative and field-leading work that involves integrating the clinical and basic sciences. Established in 2002 by Dr. Anthony Aldave, the Cornea Genetics Laboratory remains at the forefront of elucidating the genetic basis of the corneal dystrophies and developing innovative therapeutic approaches to treat these inherited disorders of the cornea. Utilizing an array of advanced genetic analytic tools, the Laboratory has a long history of identifying causative mutations associated with inherited corneal disorders, and utilizing mouse and cell-based disease models to study the pathomechanisms via which the identified mutations lead to loss of corneal clarity, and thus loss of vision. The identification and elucidation of the genetic basis of the corneal dystrophies has led to Dr. Aldave and colleagues’ developing and testing novel molecular therapeutics approaches in these same cell-based and animal models. The Laboratory also continues to develop methods to expand human corneal endothelial cells ex vivo, aiming to increase the availability of transplantable endothelial cells with the goal of transplanting the cells from one donor to multiple recipients. With only one donor cornea available for every 70 that are needed globally, the use of expanded corneal endothelial cells to restore sight to individuals with corneal endothelial dysfunction, most commonly due to corneal endothelial dystrophies, has the potential to transform the current treatment paradigm of one donor cornea restoring sight to only one recipient. The Laboratory is currently conducting a pre-clinical study of SLC4A11 gene therapy for CHED, which is one of the eight gene therapy trials that is included in the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Bespoke Gene Therapy Consortium (AMP® BGTC). Serving as the basis for a first-in-human clinical trial to treat CHED, this cutting-edge pre-clinical work is supported by a grant by the California Institute for Regeneration Medicine (CIRM) and is being performed in collaboration with coinvestigators at the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University The candidate will work on AAV gene therapy projects using mouse models of corneal dystrophies. A background in working with mouse models of ocular diseases, knowledge regarding generating transgenic mouse models, experience in AAV gene therapy for ocular diseases, experience with mouse survival surgery and tissue/sera collection, knowledge regarding biodistribution assays and digital PCR, and familiarity with in vivo imaging of mouse ocular structures (e.g. optical coherence tomography and confocal scanning laser microscopy) are preferred skills, but are not required to apply. A background in immunology and AAV gene therapy-related immunoassay development are strongly preferred. More information can be found at: https://www.uclahealth.org/eye/cornea-genetics. Interested individuals who meet the above criteria may apply by sending their CV to the principal investigator of the Cornea Genetics Laboratory at: Anthony J. Aldave, M.D. Professor of Ophthalmology Bartly J. Mondino, M.D., Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology Vice Chair for Academics Co-Chief, Cornea and Uveitis Division The Stein Eye Institute Email: aldave@jsei.ucla.edu