Graduate Research Associate in Biomedical Research at The Ohio State University
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 Graduate Study Areas
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Research at Dr. Rikihisa's laboratory:
Understanding the molecular pathogenic mechanisms of ehrlichioses, vector-borne emerging zoonoses of man and animals. Ehrlichiae are unique bacteria (obligatory intracellular bacteria) which infect leukocytes like HIV virus. These bacteria are found in nature in various species of vertebrates and invertebrates. When ehrlichiae are transmitted to humans or domestic animals by the tick bite or by ingestion of trematodes harboring ehrlichiae, they may develop a severe and sometimes fatal disease called ehrlichiosis. Our research program embraces “ from genomes to animal models " and “from field to molecular works: to analyze genomes of 3 divergent human ehrlichiosis agents; to investigate suspected bacterial virulence factors and signaling mechanisms in vitro, to analyze molecular mechanisms of ehrlichial transmission from vectors to mammals, and test putative mechanisms in cultured cells and in relevant animal models.
Examples of current research projects include:
- Elucidation of Signal Transduction Pathways for Survival of Ehrlichiae in Leukocytes: The objective of this project is to find cellular mechanisms whereby obligate intracellular ehrlichiae can survive in the host cells by inhibiting reactive oxygen species generation, lyososomal fusion, and leukocyte’s activation and apoptosis, and by competitively acquiring cholesterol and iron.
- Characterization of Type IV Secretion and Two Component Regulatory System in Human Ehrlichiosis Agent: The objectives of this project are 1) to examine the functions and effectors of type IV secretion system in ehrlichial infection, 2) to elucidate molecular mechanisms by which two component systems regulate ehrlichial gene expression.
- Roles of Ehrlichial Outer Membrane Proteins in Parasitism: The objective of this project is to isolate major bacterial surface-exposed proteins of ehrlichiosis agents, and examine their genome sequences, biological function in a cell culture and an animal model of human ehrlichiosis.
- Isolation and Characterization of New Ehrlichiae from Vertebrate and Invertebrate hosts. Ehrlichial organisms will be detected by PCR and culture isolated from various hosts. Molecular mechanisms of transmission and molecular diversity and virulence of Ehrlichia sp. strains will be examined.
- Microarray and Proteomic analysis of Human Ehrlichiosis Agents: Global transcriptome and proteome analysis of Ehrlichia and their hosts in various environments.
Graduate work involves:
Conduct complex experimental research on NIH-funded projects: designs, organizes, and executes experiments involving molecular biology, protein biochemistry, and cell biology; develops new experimental protocols and performs new procedures in varieties of signal transduction pathway assays, siRNA, anti-sense, and pull-down-assay; performs transcriptional analysis such as real time PCR, 5’ RACE, primer extension, Southern blot analysis, two-hybrid system, DNase foot printing, cDNA microarray, and cloning target genes in mammalian expression vector and perform expression and functional analysis; performs cloning and expression of recombinant proteins in prokaryote expression vectors; refolding proteins, develops mutant strains of ehrlichiae; performs ehrlichial culture and purification; performs functional reconstitution analysis using E. coli and other bacteria, operates Red Hat Linux system, maintains research records and perform bioinformatics; prepares graphs, tables, figures, research abstracts, manuscripts for publication, and progress report preparation for grants.
Requirements:
B.S. or M.S. in Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Microbiology.
Experience in cloning and expression of bacterial genes, experience in RNA detection and manipulation, and experiences in commonly utilized molecular genetic methods are preferable. Experiences in utilizing several computer programs for molecular analysis is desirable. Of highest importance is motivation, love for experiments, and diligence. Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.
Satisfactory GRE and TOEFL scores are required.
Graduate Course Work Requirement:
Flexible. Although the graduate program is called Veterinary Biosciences, graduate students DO NOT require any veterinary courses or experiences. Students can choose any courses offered throughout the Ohio State University campus including Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, etc. upon discussion with the student's advisor.
Graduate Degree Ph.D., Field of Specialty:
Flexible. Depending on student's area of research student can specialize in molecular microbiology, molecular cell biology, medical microbiology, or any other areas.
When to apply:
Flexible. Students can start Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall Quarter.
Financial Support:
Students will be offered a stipend and tuition remission in the form of graduate assistantships or graduate fellowships.
For more information, please refer to
the
Ohio State University, Graduate Admissions Office for instructions
and forms.
To inquire, send a letter of intent and curriculum vitae to:
Yasuko Rikihisa, Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology,
Dept. of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine
The Ohio State University, Health Science Center
Columbus, OH 43210, U.S.A.
614-292-5661 (phone)
614-292-6473 (fax)
Email: Rikihisa.1@osu.edu
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