TU/e – STUDENTSHIP 2010 IN PROTEIN SWITCHES – NETHERLAND
PhD studentship 2010 in Development of light-regulated protein switches in Eindhoven University in Netherlands
About TU/e:
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) intends to be a research driven, design oriented university of technology at an international level, with the primary objective of providing young people with an academic education within the ‘engineering science & technology’ domain.
Detail:
PhD student Development of light-regulated protein switches Staff CategoryPhD-studentDepartmentDepartment of Biomedical EngineeringFTE1,0Date off31-08-2010Reference numberV50.1192The department of Biomedical Engineering is a joint-department of the Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Maastricht. Education and research focuses on the most complex and fascinating “system” there is: the human body. Biomedical Engineering plays a key role as a new discipline, interfacing and integrating engineering and biomedical sciences. The central research theme of the protein engineering group (headed by Dr Maarten Merkx) is to develop new molecular tools that allow the imaging of molecular processes in live cells or organisms by taking advantage of the unique properties of proteins and peptides. The Merkx group is part of the laboratory of chemical biology, which also includes the research groups of Prof. E.W. Meijer, Prof. L. Brunsveld and Dr P. Dankers. The lab has modern facilities for molecular biology, protein expression and purification, organic synthesis, and cell biology.
Aim:
Develop genetically-encoded photoswitchable Zn2+-chelating proteins that can be used to transiently perturb Zn2+-mediated signal transduction pathways and intracellular Zn homeostasis in a non-invasive manner. Zinc plays a critical role in many fundamental cellular processes and is required as an essential cofactor by thousands of proteins. At the same time, low nM concentrations of free Zn2+ can be cytotoxic, rendering zinc homeostasis a delicate balance that is not well understood. Recently we reported the development of genetically encoded FRET-based fluorescent sensor proteins that can sensitively image changes in intracellular free Zn2+ concentrations in single mammalian cells (Vinkenborg et al (2009) Nature Methods, 6, 737). Using the knowledge obtained in the engineering of these sensor proteins, we aim to turn these sensors into switches that can be controlled by light. Light-sensitive Zn2+ binding proteins will be developed by fusion of photoactive proteins such that they control the binding properties of Zn2+ binding proteins. The availability of genetically encoded caged Zn-ligands will allow us to address key questions about the mechanism and kinetics of cellular Zn2+ homeostasis and the role of Zn-signalling in normal and pathophysiological processes such as the regulation of insuline secretion in pancreatic beta cells, the role of Zn2+ as a signal of oxidative stress, and its function as a neuromodulator.
Profile:
We are looking for an enthusiastic scientist with a background in biochemistry or related fields (chemistry, molecular biology, biophysical chemistry). Ideal candidates would have experience in protein chemistry, standard molecular biology techniques, and/or cellular imaging. He/she should also like to work in a multidisciplinary environment on the border between molecular biology and chemistry. This project is funded by an NWO ECHO grant.
Employment conditions: We offer
1. a challenging job at a dynamic and ambitious University
2. a full-time employment for 4 years, with an intermediate evaluation after 1 year.
3. gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU),
4. For the PhD position it is increasing from € 2042 per month initially, to € 2612 in the fourth year
5. an attractive package of fringe benefits (including 13th month salary, holiday allowance of 8%, excellent work facilities, child care and sport facilities).
Application Deadline 31-08-2010
Contact:
Dr. M. Merkx,
Phone +31 40 247 4728
e-mail m.merkx@tue.nl
Source: http://w3.tue.nl/en/
