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Alex Kentsis
- Dec 19, 2019
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Functional Cancer Proteomics
Functional Cancer Proteomics
We are a group of biochemists, biologists and physicians in the Molecular Pharmacology Program at the Sloan Kettering Institute in New York City, USA. We carry out research in cancer biology, and our current work is focused on the phenomenon of cellular plasticity, as it relates both to the fundamental mechanisms of cancer pathogenesis and emerging rational therapies.
In particular, we are studying the biology of refractory leukemias and solid tumors, and we are interested in understanding the principles of disorganization of their genomes and proteomes, and determining the molecular mechanisms of response and adaptation of tumor cells to targeted therapies.
To answer these questions, we are developing new approaches, based on quantitative mass spectrometry and functional proteomics, to decipher the mechanisms of cancer cell signaling and develop new therapeutics. Two projects are immediately available for talented and ambitious recent PhD graduates:
Forward Proteomic Screens for Cancer Therapeutics and Macromolecular Delivery. Using recently developed methods for quantitative proteomics and peptide barcoding (Egloff et al, Nature Methods 2019, PMID: 31113958), we’ve developed a new platform for high-throughput design and screening of macromolecular cell penetration and delivery reagents. This is a transformative technology that enables the generation of new classes of drugs to modulate specific protein-protein interactions, which we’ve recently applied for targeted leukemia therapy (Ramaswamy et al, Nature Communications 2018, PMID 29317678). Current efforts are focused on applying this technology for protein engineering and development of new peptide conjugates for cancer and gene therapy.
Quantitative Cell Proteomics Atlas (http://qcpa.mskcc.org). Using recently optimized methods for ultra-sensitive quantitative proteomics (Cifani & Kentsis, MCP 2017, PMID 28821601), we’ve developed an atlas of targeted mass spectrometry assays to profile biochemical signaling at the pathway scale in normal and cancer cells. Current efforts are focused on developing high-throughput and genome-scale methods. This work aims to define systems-level mechanisms of aberrant signaling in cancer cells, as well as fundamental cell biological processes of signaling adaptation, feedback and integration.
If you are a recent PhD graduate with interest in the above areas and experience with nanoscale liquid chromatography, electrospray ionization, high-resolution mass spectrometry or protein engineering and chemistry, please email Alex Kentsis at kentsisresearchgroup+application@gmail.com
Requirements
An ideal candidate is a PhD graduate with experience in mass spectrometry, analytical chemistry or protein engineering, who is interested in developing an independent research programme or future positions in biotechnology in functional proteomics.
Hands-on experience with the operation of high-resolution mass spectrometers and nanoscale chromatographs, design of experiments using quantitative proteomics or experience in biochemistry and protein engineering are essential.
Please send a cover letter describing your interests, CV, and 3 letters of reference to Alex Kentsis, MD, PhD at the Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute.
