The Kulkarni laboratory studies the biology and function of pancreatic islets including insulin secreting beta cells and glucagon-secreting alpha cells. The lab has recently started to work on signaling pathways that are critical for modulating beta cell biology including insulin secretion and growth. Current topics under investigation include evaluation of compounds such as small molecules and ligands that can modulate human beta cell biology. Some studies are related to generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from mouse models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and humans with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The studies are focused on using peripheral tissues (e.g. skin fibroblasts, blood cells and adult skeletal or adipose tissues) to generate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Future studies will be focused on generating differentiated cells from these iPS cells, including pancreatic islet cells, mature skeletal muscle and adipocytes.

The Research Assistant will be primarily responsible for assisting in experiments and procedures conducted in the Core to produce beta like cells and other metabolic associated cell types from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) or embryonic stem (ES) cells. The role of this position is to contribute with advanced laboratory skills and biological expertise such as ES/hiPSC cultures, ES/hiPSC differentiation, cell sorting, fluorescence-based cell imaging, gene editing and molecular biology, in vitro function assays and research animal handling skills as part of the iPS Core service.

• Perform ES/hiPSC cultures and cryopreservation
• Perform ES/hiPSC differentiation cultures to beta-like cells and metabolic and other types of cells
• Prepare a variety of specialized cell culture media and reagents
• Maintain and monitor cryo-storage of cell line stocks and tracking usages
• Perform experiments of molecular and cell biology such as DNA extraction, PCR, DNA sequencing and analysis for hiPSC gene editing, genotyping, and a single cell cloning and clonal expansion of gene edited hiPSCs
• Perform experiments of immunocytochemistry for stem cells and cell lineage marker expression by fluorescence-based cell labeling, western blotting and RT-PCR
• Assist in flow cytometry and cell imaging documentation and analysis
• Perform experimental procedures involving research animals such mice, including cell transplantation, and isolation of cells and tissues from experimental animals and preparation of these cells for subsequent analysis by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, protein expression (western blotting) and gene expression (RT-PCR) and functional analysis
• Assist senior core staff members in design, execution of experiments, data entry and analyses of datasets
• Maintain reagent stocks and laboratory supplies
• Assist in tracking reagents and laboratory supply inventory and placement of orders as needed
• Operating and maintaining equipment in orders
• Flexibility for other cell culture and bench duties as assigned.

• B.A. or B.S. in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Life Science, or related discipline. M.A. or M.S will also be considered
• Previous undergraduate or post-graduate lab experience, particularly with mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, and handling of small animals will be preferred.
• Previous experience with human or mouse stem cell or iPS cell work is an advantage.
• Willingness to work with animals and human tissues
• Knowledge of cell culture, molecular and cell biology and theability to apply this knowledge.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize responsibilities and follow tasks through to completion.
• Ability to work with others as a team in a productive manner.
• Ability to assemble datasets for presentations and documents.