Transgenic Improvement of Photosynthesis in C4Plants

Stern Lab, Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca, NY

https://btiscience.org/david-stern/

The Stern Laboratory at the Boyce Thompson Institute invites applications for 1-2 individuals to participate in research to understand and improve carbon assimilation in two C4species: maize as a model crop, and Setaria viridis as an emerging model for high-throughput studies (https://btiscience.org/david-stern/). Our published work has shown that transgene-mediated increases in Rubisco abundance and activity accelerate growth and contribute to abiotic stress tolerance in maize. We seek to capitalize on this work by manipulating additional components of the carbon assimilation pathway, with support by grants from the Departments of Energy and Agriculture. Near-term objectives include analysis of metabolite profiles, gene expression, growth profiles, and photosynthetic activities in a series of maize and Setaria transgenic lines with single and stacked traits. We collaborate with other groups with complementary expertise, and learning opportunities with those groups may be possible.

Relevant experimental skills include photosynthetic measurements, molecular biology, and protein biochemistry. Successful applicants will have a passion for research, excellent organizational skills, ability in data analysis, strong attention to detail, and the ability and desire to work both independently and collaboratively. Applicants with a BS or higher, with a range of professional development goals, will be considered.

The Boyce Thompson Institute is located on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, NY. You will have the opportunity to work with an international community of postdoctoral researchers, research assistants, graduate and undergraduate students. BTI sponsors a Postgraduate Society that organizes synergistic training and professional development activities. Applicants should describe in a cover letter their relevant work experience, hopes for professional development in this position, and provide a resumé with names of references. Positions are open until filled and are available immediately.

To prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, and as an integral part of its public health and safety measures, BTI requires that all successful applicants shall be required to show proof of full vaccination by an FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine before beginning employment, unless an exemption from this policy has been granted as an accommodation or otherwise. Applicants believing they need an accommodation of this policy because of a disability, sincerely-held religious belief, or otherwise should inform Human Resources after an offer of employment is extended; please do not include any medical, genetic, or religious information on your application materials.

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Relevant publications:

Hotto, A.M., Salesse-Smith, C.E., Lin, M., Busch, F.A., Simpson, I., Stern, D.B. (2021) Rubisco production in maize mesophyll cells through ectopic expression of subunits and chaperones. J. Exp. Biol. 72:4930-4937

Salesse-Smith, C.E., Sharwood, R.E., Busch, F.A., Stern, D.B. (2019) Increased Rubisco content in maize mitigates chilling stress and speeds recovery. Plant Biotech. J. 1-12

Salesse-Smith, C.E., Sharwood, R.E., Busch, F.A., Kromdijk, J., Bardal, V., Stern, D.B. (2018) Overexpression of Rubisco subunits with RAF1 increases Rubisco content in maize. Nature Plants 802-810