Heidelberg University is offering a PhD position under the Project supervisor Barends, Thomas. The start of PhD project will be 1 Jul 2020. Applications are open to two outstanding PhD students to investigate enzymes involved in lipid biosynthesis in ladderane-producing microorganisms. The PhD students will express these enzymes both separately to perform crystallographic and biochemical studies, and in combination to establish an in-vivo system for the investigation of the biosynthetic pathway of ladderanes.
About the Project:
- Title of the project is Ladderane Lipid BiosynthesisSummary: Ladderanes are highly unusual hydrocarbon moieties with linearly concatenated cyclobutane rings. They are found in the membranes of bacteria performing anaerobic ammonium oxidation (“anammox”).
- How these complicated molecules are produced is expected to involve both novel enzymes and specially evolved versions of known proteins, but the details remain enigmatic.
- How do these enzymes assemble such intricate carbon skeletons? How do they control the complex stereochemistry involved?
- How do they deal with the typical nonreactivity of hydrocarbons?
- How do they overcome the ring strain inherent in these molecules?
- Answering these and other questions about the molecular mechanism of ladderane biosynthesis will open up new frontiers in enzymology.
Qualifications:
- Candidate must hold a university degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related field.
- Experience with iron-sulfur cluster proteins is a welcome plus.
- Applicants should have good English writing and communication skills.
- Candidate must be highly motivated, open-minded, and capable of critical and analytical thinking.
| —————–Quick Overview————- | |
| Organization | Heidelberg University |
| Country | Germany |
| Fellowship Level | Doctoral |
| Subject areas | Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology |
| Fellowship amount | Varies |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree |
| Deadline | 31 May 2020 |
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