Contact
Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center
MEE/SERI – 2W
20 Staniford Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-573-6307
Gene Transfer Vector Core
gtvc@meei.harvard.edu
Directions & Parking
Directions
If entering from SERI main entrance (20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114):
- Please check in at the front desk upon arrival who will give the admin a call (617-573-6307) to escort you through the building
- Directions to follow blue arrows to Grousbeck Center:
- Walk upstairs to second floor, down hallway passed SERI cafeteria and take left at 2nd floor conference room
- Take next quick right after 2nd floor conference room
- Walk down long hallway over SERI/ Simches bridge & down ramp to SERI 2-west
- Take second right (following blue arrows directing to Starr Center)
- Walk straight towards Grousbeck Center for Gene Therapy sign at end of the hallway
If entering from Simches Center (185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114):
- Enter in lobby to the right (without security desk)
- Take elevator to the 2nd floor
- Take a right to approach SERI entrance
- The door will be locked. Please call the admin at 617-573-6307 upon arrival
Parking Options
50 Staniford Street garage
- The garage is located under the building and the entrance is on Staniford Street. Before returning to your vehicle, pay for parking at the pay station in the garage. They accept most major credit cards. Cash is not accepted. Parking rates are subject to change.
- Rates:
Up to 1 hour ……………….$14.00
1 to 2.5 hours………………$26.00
Up to 3 hours …………….$38.00
Over 3 hours……………..$48.00
Cambridge River Plaza (209 Cambridge Street)
- Amex, Bills, Coins, Debit card, Discover, MC/Visa all accepted
- Rates:
1 hour ……………….$12.00
2 hours ………………$24.00
3 hours …………….$36.00
4 hours ……………..$48.00
Director
luk_vandenberghe@meei.harvard.edu (on leave)
nerea_zabaletalasarte@meei.harvard.edu
Admin.
posborn@meei.harvard.edu
Request Vectors and Reagents
To browse services offered by the GTVC, find information on pricing, or request production of an rAAV vector, click here. Please contact gtvc@meei.harvard.edu with any questions about services offered by the GTVC.
Vector request submissions are not complete without plasmid sequence and digest information. Incomplete information will delay vector production.
Interested in obtaining a reagent from the Vandenberghe lab? We aim to deposit all plasmid material at Addgene. For any questions, please contact Luk Vandenberghe at Luk_Vandenberghe@meei.hard.ard.edu.
Positions
We are always interested in talented and passionate researchers who work well in a team and compelled by gene therapy and virology. Prospective applicants can send an email to luk_vandenberghe at meei.harvard.edu with a CV, cover letter, and list of 3 references. Please provide your materials in one document and filename as YYMMDD_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME.
Graduate Student Positions
- HMS Ph.D. Program in Virology
- HMS Ph.D. Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS)
- Leder Human Biology and Translational Medicine
- Therapeutics Graduate Program
- Students in other programs are invited to apply including Systems Biology and Immunology.
Postdoctoral Positions
- Protein Engineering, Molecular Viral Library Development and Evaluation: development of adeno-associated viral vector design and evaluation thereof using NGS and high-throughput technologies
- Viral Immunology and Host-Vector Interactions: Study of the host response of novel molecular viral vectors in animal models and humans
- Bio-informatics and Systems Biology: Study of large datasets on vector-host interactions relevant to gene therapy in order to obtain systems understanding of the interplay between host genomics and viral vector structure.
- In vivo gene transfer and Translational Gene Therapy: evaluation of the safety and targeting potential of novel viral vectors for therapeutic gene transfer in animal models and disease models, with a focus on retina, cochlea, liver, muscle, heart and/or liver.
Scientific Staff Positions
- Protein Engineering, Molecular Viral Library Development and Evaluation: development of adeno-associated viral vector design and evaluation thereof using NGS and high-throughput technologies
- Viral Immunology and Host-Vector Interactions: Study of the host response of novel molecular viral vectors in animal models and humans
- In vivo gene transfer and Translational Gene Therapy: evaluation of the safety and targeting potential of novel viral vectors for therapeutic gene transfer in animal models and disease models, with a focus on retina, cochlea, liver, muscle, heart and/or liver.
Research Lab Tech II-Gene Transfer Vector Core
- Perform tissue culture and AAV viral vector production (training will be provided)
- Conduct projects for plasmid cloning and other molecular biology techniques. Take initiatives and responsibility to complete the project and report to manager
- Method development under supervision, as needed. Candidate should be capable to work independently in experiment design, execution, and data analysis under the direction of manager
- Maintain careful records of all procedures and results, databases, lab notebook, etc
- Active participation in meetings to discuss data, and share/discuss relevant literature
- High-level responsibility to meet assigned goals for core productivity under the direction of manager
- Maintain lab equipment, reagents, inventories, records under the direction of Principal Investigator
- Additional duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with research expertise (2 years). Master’s degree in related field can be substituted for years of experience. Experience in following is relevant and desirable –
- Experience in molecular cloning, PCR
- Cell culturing (bacterial, mammalian cell lines)
- Experience in protein purification, column chromatography etc. biochemistry methods
- Experience in cell-culture based functional assays
- Prior work experience working in a viral vectors or other cores is desirable
- Experience in planning and designing experiments and analyzing and interpreting data
- Excellent organization and attention to detail
- Ability to remain flexible and work well with colleagues in a team setting.
- Use of software packages, such as MS Excel, SnapGene, Prism, EndNote, etc
Research Fellow-Chekuri Lab
- Read, analyze, and summarize published literature
- Design and execute in vitro and in vivo.
- Undertake relevant coursework if required by mentor.
- Attend relevant meetings.
- Meet regularly with the mentor to review project progress and milestones
- Plan and deliver a seminar on the project
- Take administrative (inventory, purchasing, etc. ) responsibilities in the lab when necessary
- Write a final report or submit a manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal describing the project and results
Research Lab Tech I-Chekuri Lab
Graduate Student Positions
Students of all Harvard programs are welcome. Dr. Vandenberghe is faculty in the following Graduate Programs:
Competitive prospective applicants can send an email to vandenberghe.lab@gmail.com with a CV, cover letter, and list of 3 references. Please provide your materials in one document and filename as YYMMDD_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME.
Postdoctoral Positions
Several postdoctoral fellowship positions are available within a range of expertises and interest.
Competitive prospective applicants can send an email to vandenberghe.lab@gmail.com with a CV, cover letter, and list of 3 references. Please provide your materials in one document and filename as YYMMDD_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME.
Scientific Staff Positions
A few senior scientific staff positions are available within the Vandenberghe laboratory.
Prospective applicants can send an email to vandenberghe.lab@gmail.com with a CV, cover letter, and list of 3 references. Please provide your materials in one document and filename as YYMMDD_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME.
Research Lab Tech II-Gene Transfer Vector Core
POSITION SUMMARY:
A position has become available to support production and admin activities at the Gene Transfer Vector Core, Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center located at the Schepens Eye Research Institute and Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary. At the Core facility, our research is focused on developing gene transfer technologies and supporting research in gene therapies for diseases with unmet need.
The position provides an exciting opportunity to undertake diverse and independent responsibilities in a team context with excellent support and training. Selected candidates are required to be highly motivated to support leading AAV research programs by participating in production of AAV as an ongoing activity of the Core along with other assigned job functions under the guidance of manager.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work will primarily take place in a research laboratory setting. Job may require exposure to bio-hazardous or toxic substances, including but not limited to Blood Borne Pathogens.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position requires alertness and manual dexterity.
Research Fellow-Chekuri Lab
POSITION SUMMARY:
Proposes and undertakes a mentored, innovative project or challenge to develop novel molecular therapies for inherited retinal degenerative diseases (IRD’s). Involves in the study of host-AAV interactions, retinal tropism, and development of enabling gene therapy technologies, with a potential for translation of preclinical therapeutic gene transfer programs. Perform in vivo experiments involving the characterization of retinal phenotypic defects in mouse models of IRD’s. Designs and performs in vitro and animal experiments, analyzes, and presents the outcome.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Doctoral degree (MD or PhD) with more than 1 year of lab experience.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Lab setting.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Possible lifting of 10 to 20 lbs., depending on nature of chosen project(s).
Research Lab Tech I-Chekuri Lab
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Grousbeck Gene Therapy Center at Mass Eye and Ear has an open position for a Research Assistant to assist in the application of novel gene therapy modalities. The Center provides a dynamic multi-disciplinary environment that pursues the common goal of developing therapeutic gene transfer in future medicine.
We are seeking a Research Assistant to join the laboratory of Dr. Anil Chekuri to perform in vivo experiments both in small animal models. The main responsibilities of this position will include animal experimentation and rodent colony management. Familiarity with tissue processing is desirable. Demonstrated excellence in time management and organizational skills are essential. A bachelor’s degree in biology or related discipline is required.
We offer a flexible and collaborative environment, as well as the opportunity to develop scientifically and to explore the promising field of translational AAV gene therapy.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Animal work (rodents):
Colony management and animal handling (breeding, tagging, and genotyping)
Sub-retinal injections
Injections (SQ, IM, RO, IV, IVT, SR, IP)
In vivo imaging and Electroretinography
Pre-op and post-op care
Euthanasia/necropsy
Tissue collection
Ensure cleanliness of the lab and equipment including instrument maintenance.
Adherence to pertinent departmental policies, practices and procedures (SOPs, IACUC, Hazardous materials, safety procedures and biosafety protocols).
Keep accurate records of experiments; analyze data, and present results to PI.
Tissue processing (tissue fixation/freezing, embedding, cryo-sectioning and DNA/RNA extraction) is an asset.
Molecular cloning of plasmids using PCR, restriction digestion and other methods
Cell and tissue culture.
Biochemical assays including SDS-PAGE and ELISA.
Qualifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
BS/BA in biology or related discipline
Experience in or willing to learn vivo rodent manipulation (including colony management, injections and necropsies).
Experience in or willing to learn Optical coherence tomography, fundus imaging, and in vivo bioluminescence imaging.
Must be able to work as part of a team.
Excellent time management and organization.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work will primarily take place in a research laboratory setting. Job may require exposure to bio-hazardous or toxic substances.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Position requires alertness and manual dexterity.