We have a postdoctoral position available immediately to study the molecular genetics of psoriasis. This position could also be filled by a research associate. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contains what appears to be the major genetic determinant of psoriasis. However, work done to date indicates that the psoriasis gene in the MHC is not one of the known HLA alleles. We have localized the MHC susceptibility gene to a narrow region just telomeric to HLA-C. For details, see American Journal of Human Genetics vol 66, pp. 1833-1844, 2000 (click here to view abstract or here for full text PDF file). This project involves the final stages of gene identification for the MHC component of psoriasis susceptibility.
Send CV and references to:
Dr. James T. Elder
3312 CCGC, Univ of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0932
fax (734) 763-4575
email jelder@umich.edu.
We have an interesting research project available for an enterprising
student who can spend 15 or more hours a week in the laboratory.
We have identified a locus on chromosome 16 that appears to confer
susceptibility to psoriasis (for details, see Human Molecular
Genetics 6:1349-1356, 1997). NOD2 is a gene that has recently
been implicated in Crohn's disease (for details, see Nature 411:603-606,
2001). NOD2 maps to the same region of chromosome 16 that we have
identified as possibly contributing to psoriasis susceptibility.
The project involves testing the NOD2 gene for possible association
with psoriasis. For additional specifics about the project, please
contact Dr. James Elder at email jelder@umich.edu,
or Dr. Rajan Nair at email rnair@umich.edu
Please visit the Psoriasis Genetics Laboratory homepage for more information about our work.