Finn Lab
Research job openings
About the Lab:
We study how the DNA in a nucleus organizes itself in order to understand how cells make decisions.
The chromosomes that make up the human genome, if put together and stretched end to end, would be about three meters long. All of that DNA has to fold and wrap and coil itself to fit into each cell’s nucleus without any tangles, which could be disastrous when a cell divides. But this folding process isn’t as simple as finding a way of packing everything neatly into the smallest possible space because where genes wind up within the nucleus can change their activity. A genome that’s organized “wrong” is a hallmark of cancer.
Previously, I used fluorescence imaging to map how chromosomes folded in thousands of different cells. I found that not just every cell, but in fact every chromosome, folded itself a little bit differently. This means there are a lot of “right” ways to fold a genome. But I also saw some interesting patterns: some folded shapes were more common in some cell types, and some regions within the cell were more variable. My work led me to hypothesize that variability itself might be a feature of how the genome works, rather than unfortunate noise hiding true signals.
My lab expands on this hypothesis in two ways: first, we’re examining how cell-to-cell variability in genome organization changes during development and disease. Second, we’re working to understand how variability in genome organization is controlled by the cell.
Lab perks and benefits:
Founded in 1946, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is among the nation’s oldest, most respected independent, nonprofit biomedical research institutes. OMRF is dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human diseases, focusing on critical research areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. OMRF follows an innovative cross-disciplinary approach to medical research and ranks among the nation’s leaders in patents per scientist.
Located in Oklahoma City, a city that offers a dynamic and flourishing downtown area, with low cost of living, short commute times and a diversified economy, OMRF has been voted one of the Top Workplaces since the inception of the award. This achievement has been accomplished thanks to OMRF individuals who share a unified understanding that our excellence can only be fully realized with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Successful candidates will demonstrate commitment to these values
We offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits including, medical, dental, and vision insurance, minimum 8% company retirement contribution, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, onsite café, free onsite fitness center with access to personal trainer, free parking and much more! Relocation assistance available for those located 50 miles outside of Oklahoma City metro and out of state. Learn more about our benefits here.
OMRF is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
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