The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) has named biochemist Jason Collins, PhD, the recipient of the first NIDCR Director’s Postdoctoral Fellowship to Enhance Diversity in Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research. The award will enable him to work for up to five years in the Stem Cell Biochemistry Lab of Achim Werner, who is exploring molecular signaling pathways that underlie craniofacial disorders.
Collins will draw on his expertise in ribosomes, the complex cellular machines that translate genetic messages into proteins, to understand cell processes that go awry during development to cause craniofacial malformations. Previously, he studied how defects in the production of ribosomes could lead to conditions such as anemia, cancer, and craniofacial malformations.
“When you bypass quality control steps during ribosome maturation, the ribosomes have the potential to produce aberrant proteins that can cause dysfunction,” said Collins. “We think this leads to disease.”
At NIDCR, Collins will work to understand a molecular signaling pathway, first discovered by Werner, that affects ribosome production during neural crest stem cell formation. These stem cells are produced during early embryo development and give rise to the facial bones, cartilage, and teeth.
Werner and Collins suspect that changes to ribosomes in neural crest stem cells during development could underlie Treacher Collins syndrome, which causes abnormal growth of the teeth and bones of the head and face. Collins’ work might identify potential treatment targets for Treacher Collins syndrome and similar disorders, which is precisely the kind of lightbulb moment that he says motivates him to keep discovering.
“I’m driven to understand the world around us and how we can make it better for others,” Collins said. “With science, you can do that.”
The fellowship is designed to enable scientists from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to bring different perspectives, creativity, and individual enterprise to address complex scientific problems. NIDCR is currently looking for additional applicants for this fully funded fellowship.
“Taking steps to support the inclusion of early career scientists from underrepresented groups is an investment in development of a stronger, more dynamic research environment,” said NIDCR director Martha Somerman, DDS, PhD.
“We encourage applicants with a commitment to enhancing the diversity of the biomedical field and pursuing independent, highly competitive careers in dental, oral, and craniofacial research,” said Deborah Philip, PhD, director of NIDCR’s Office of Education.
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