PhD position - Structure and function of the CCaMK/Cyclops complex in transcriptional regulatio[...]

Karlstad University; Planegg; Vor Ort; EUR 60.000 - 80.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research university in Germany is seeking a PhD candidate to explore the CCaMK/CYCLOPS complex in plant root symbioses. The role emphasizes strong expertise in protein biochemistry and involves advanced techniques such as CRISPR/CAS and protein purification. The successful applicant will contribute to vital research enhancing sustainable agriculture through symbiotic relationships with fungi and bacteria. Candidates must apply through the Graduate School Life Science Munich's online portal.

Qualifikationen

• Strong knowledge base in protein biochemistry essential.
• Practical experience using relevant technologies preferred.

Aufgaben

• Study the relevance of complex components in signal transduction.
• Quantify protein-protein and protein-DNA binding affinities.
• Unravel molecular dynamics of the CCaMK/CYCLOPS complex.

Kenntnisse

Protein biochemistry

CRISPR/CAS genome editing

Protein purification

Gel filtration/size exclusion chromatography

Ausbildung

Relevant PhD in Life Sciences or related fields

Jobbeschreibung

Overview

PhD position - Structure and function of the CCaMK/Cyclops complex in transcriptional regulation of plant root symbioses with nutrient acquiring fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Institute

Institute: LMU Munich, Faculty of Biology, Genetics

Subject areas/Research fields

Protein Biochemistry / Structural Biology / Molecular Biology / Molecular Plant Sciences / Microbiology

Supervisor

Name of supervisor: Prof. Dr. Martin Parniske

Funding

Funding: LSM-CSC / DAAD-GSSP (LSM) / Application for funding by the DFG in progress

Project Description

Structure and function of the CCaMK/CYCLOPS complex in transcriptional regulation of plant root symbioses with nutrient acquiring fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Plant root symbioses with arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria bear huge potential for sustainable agriculture by reducing the chemical fertilizer input required to maintain high crop yields. The regulation and signal transduction mechanism leading to AM and the nitrogen-fixing root nodule symbiosis (RNS) share common components including the calcium and calmodulin dependent protein kinase (CCaMK) and its phosphorylation target CYCLOPS, a DNA binding transcriptional activator. The CCaMK/CYCLOPS complex is a central regulatory hub in symbiosis signaling. It controls the expression of three transcriptional regulators of three distinct developmental programs. NIN controls nodule organogenesis and, together with ERN1, infection thread formation, while RAM1 is indispensable for arbuscule development. The promoters control distinct timing, expression domains and response to different stimuli. The promoter choice and activity of CCaMK/CYCLOPS must be coordinated at a spatio-temporal and a stimulus-specific level to trigger appropriate cell developmental programs.

In the past, we identified additional putative complex components that may contribute to binding of diverse cis-regulatory elements within the known target promoters of CCaMK/CYCLOPS. The doctoral candidate will study the relevance of the identified additional complex components using a range of techniques, including reverse genetics utilizing transposon insertion populations and/or CRISPR/CAS genome editing technology. The spatio-temporal composition of the complex and its structural rearrangement will be the focus of the project. Biochemical in vitro measurements will be used to quantify protein-protein and protein-DNA binding affinities. We expect to unravel key steps in the molecular dynamics of the CCaMK/CYCLOPS complex underlying the specific activation of the appropriate and distinct developmental programs in response to fungi and bacteria and thus the establishment of AM and root nodule symbioses.

The project will require a strong knowledge base and ideally practical experience in protein biochemistry using technologies such as protein purification, gel filtration/size exclusion chromatography (FPLC, SEC).

References: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1g3whIEAAAAJ&hl=en

Apply

Apply: Please send your application through the online portal of the Graduate School Life Science Munich (LSM)

About LMU Munich

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München is a leading research university in Europe. Since its founding in 1472 it has been committed to the highest ...