We welcome inquiries from students about possible rotation projects as well as inquiries about potential postdoctoral opportunities. Scroll through our list of active projects to see if you want to get involved in research the Brodsky lab.
POSTDOCTORAL APPLICATIONS
Applications from talented, motivated post-doctoral candidates are always welcome. If you are interested in a post-doctoral position in the Brodsky lab, please submit a CV and cover letter describing previous research and future research interests along with contact information of three references to ibrodsky@vet.upenn.edu.
ROTATION PROJECTS
Rotation projects in the Brodsky lab span the areas of bacterial pathogenesis and genetics, and the host innate immune response. Examples of current rotation projects include:
Project 1: How does intracellular bacterial metabolism influence inflammasome activation? The interaction between intracellular bacterial metabolites and host cell signaling pathways is an emerging area in innate immunity. Our lab recently discovered that altering metabolic flux through the bacterial TCA cycle leads to elevated inflammasome activation in macrophages infected by Salmonella. This project seeks to understand the underlying basis for how disruption of bacterial metabolism results in increased inflammasome activation.
Project 2: How do bacterial pore-forming proteins induce inflammasome activation? Mechanisms of inflammasome activation are an active area of investigation in the field of innate immunity. Our lab has found that the pore forming proteins of bacterial secretion systems trigger inflammasome activation when they are injected into the host cell. New studies in the lab reveal recruitment of these proteins to endosomal membranes. The goal of this project is to understand how this process leads to inflammasome activation.
Project 3: How does apoptosis promote anti-bacterial immunity? Regulation of cell death is critically important for controlling tissue homeostasis and preventing tumorigenesis. Classical apoptosis is viewed as immunomodulatory or immunologically silent. Recent studies have revealed that during bacterial infection, apoptosis promotes specific inflammatory responses that promote control of infection. This project seeks to define the signals released by apoptotic cells that promote activation of anti-bacterial innate and adaptive immune responses.