The project focuses on the role of the MAP kinase pathways in APP trafficking. Recent evidence suggests that perturbation of APP trafficking contributes to aberrant processing of APP, generating aggregates of A-beta peptides. We have discovered that the MAP kinases play critical roles in regulating APP trafficking in the axons. The goal of the available postdoctoral projects are determining the role of the MAP kinases in APP trafficking and uncover the mechanisms. Techniques employed in the laboratory include surgical manipulations of the mice, and performing biochemical analyses including immunoprecipitation/kinase assays, organelle fractionation, and Western blots with the tissue samples. Please see J. Neurosci. (27: 8395-8404) and Neuron (36: 375-386) for the type of studies being performed in the lab. In addition, various GFP-tagged proteins will be introduced into primary cultures from the mice and their transport behaviors will be analyzed using confocal-based live imaging. Applicants must be finishing his/her Ph.D. and/or M.D. degrees or have had postdoctoral training for less than three years. A first author publications in international journals is necessary. The degrees can be in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology or neuroscience. Salary range: $30,000-38,000 with full benefit.