The Hakem lab’s research program focuses on understanding cancer initiation and progression to identify novel therapeutic strategies for cancer patients. We are currently investigating unexplored mechanisms that regulate NOTCH, WNT and DNA damage repair signalling in various types of cancer.
The Hakem lab has a track record in characterizing in vivo functions of tumor suppressors including BRCA1 (Nature Immunol., 1: 77-82; Genes & Dev, 18: 1144-1153), MUS81 (Science, 304: 1822-1826), LATS2 (EMBO J, 23: 3677-3688), CASPASE 8 (Blood. 119, p3495), RNF8 (JEM. 207:983-97) and RNF168 (PNAS 110(52):20982-7; Nature Communication. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12638).
Biochemistry, proteomics, Chip-Seq, RNA-Seq, genome-wide CRISPR–Cas9 screening, mouse models and human samples are used for our studies.
The Hakem lab is located in Toronto/Canada at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and is affiliated with the University of Toronto. The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is among the top Cancer Research Centres in the world and is at a walking distance from several major hospitals and Institutes.
Candidate requirements:
- PhD or MD/PhD degree obtained within the past 3 years
- Highly motivated individuals with strong publication records (First author publications)
- Demonstrated expertise in cell signaling and molecular biology
- Experience with CRISPR-Cas system is desirable
- Highly self-motivated and creative individuals
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- The ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team is a prerequisite.
Interested applicants should submit their C.V., names of three referees and a statement of research interest to Dr. Hakem (rhakem@uhnres.utoronto.ca).