Our Research
During mitosis, a full set of chromosomes must be equally transmitted to the offspring of each dividing cell. Failures in this process can result in numerous disorders, including birth defects and tumor progression. The Funabiki Lab studies how chromosomes signal in order to spatially and temporally orchestrate rapid assembly and disassembly of macromolecules that ensure accurate chromosome segregation.
Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology,
The Rockefeller University
Postdoc Position Available!
Join us!!
The Funabiki lab at the Rockefeller University has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher. The lab pursues a wide range of questions related to mitosis, genome integrity, and diseases connected to chromosome structure defects. We combine a variety of approaches, including Cryo-EM, state-of-art microscopy, and biochemistry.
Ongoing projects...
1. The mechanisms by which nucleosomes and their regulators control mitotic chromosome structure and function
2. The mechanisms that maintain the integrity of centromere-associated repetitive elements
3. The function of a novel nucleosome remodeling complex that we previously identified, related to DNA methylation and the congenital disease syndrome Immunodeficiency, Centromere instability and Facial anomalies (ICF)
[Related/Selected publications]
- Zierhut, C. et al. The cytoplasmic DNA sensor cGAS promotes mitotic cell death. Cell. 178, 302–315 (2019).
- Jenness, C. et al. HELLS and CDCA7 comprise a bipartite nucleosome remodeling complex defective in ICF syndrome. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 115, E876–E885 (2018).
- Giunta, S. and Funabiki, H. Integrity of the human centromere DNA repeats is protected by CENP-A, CENP-C, and CENP-T. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 114, 1928–1933 (2017).
- Zierhut, C. et al. Nucleosomal regulation of chromatin composition and nuclear assembly revealed by histone depletion. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. 21, 617–625 (2014).
- Kelly, A.E. et al. Survivin reads phosphorylated histone H3 threonine 3 to activate the mitotic kinase Aurora B. Science 330, 235–239 (2010).
4. The mechanisms by which cGAS, the major cytoplasmic DNA sensor for innate immunity, is regulated by nucleosomes and throughout the cell cycle
5. The mechanisms by which mitotic defects determine cell fates
Features of the Funabiki Lab ...
1. Funded by NIH R35 GM132111
2. A collegial atmosphere that encourages open discussions
3. Ample training opportunities (new techniques, writing, presentations, etc.)
4. A readily available PI who takes active interest in mentoring
5. A transparent and fair working environment
6. Institutional, domestic and international collaboration opportunities
7. Interactions with other campus labs through joint lab meetings
8. Lab and institutional retreats
9. Great track record in obtaining postdoctoral fellowships - all current and past postdocs received one or more
10. All past trainees have gone on to highly successful careers. Our alumni are now PIs or have highly competitive positions at companies or in the public sector
We
welcome ...
Applications from diverse research backgrounds, such as biophysics, structural biology, imaging technologies, genomics, cancer biology and immunology.
How to
apply ...
Applications may be sent via email to Prof. Hironori Funabiki <funabih@rockefeller.edu> with a CV, brief description of past research experience and potential future research directions, and a list of references and their contact information.