PhD student - Molecular Biology (m/f/d)- Universitätsklinikum Münster

Universitätsklinikum Münster; Münster; Vor Ort; EUR 36.000 - 46.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A renowned academic medical center in Germany is seeking a PhD Student in Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry. The role focuses on developing diagnostic tools for mapping collagenase activity in damaged tissue and includes significant hands-on research with collaborative international opportunities. Ideal candidates will have a Master's degree in related fields and experience in protein biochemistry, molecular biology, or cell biology. This project offers a competitive salary as per EU guidelines for Marie Skłodowska-Curie trainees.

Leistungen

State-of-the-art research

Expert training in research

Research placement opportunities

Salary according to EU guidelines

International collaboration

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree in biology, biochemistry or chemistry.
• Experience in protein biochemistry, molecular biology, or cell biology.
• Willingness to learn new methods in an international team.

Aufgaben

• Generate collagenase-sensitive probes for collagen.
• Equip probes for fluorescence-based real-time monitoring.
• Determine features of probes like thermal stability and affinity.
• Localize and quantify collagenase activity in damaged tissue.
• Assess inhibition of collagenase-targeting tools.

Kenntnisse

Protein biochemistry

Molecular biology

Cell biology

Ausbildung

Master's degree in biology, biochemistry or chemistry

Tools

Fluorescence microscopy

Zymography

PCR

Jobbeschreibung

PhD Student (gn*) Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry

Fixed-term 3 years | Full-time with 38.5 hours | Salary according to TV-L | Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry | Job ID: 11433

We are UKM. We have a clear social mission and, with our focus on healthcare, research, and teaching, we bear a unique responsibility.

To meet our high standards every day, we are looking forward to your scientific expertise in the Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry. Research in the institute is focused on the structure and function of the extracellular matrix and integrin receptors, and how cell-matrix interactions affect developmental processes, tissue homeostasis and pathophysiological processes such as inflammation - ideally with you on board!

Research Project

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN)

REMOD-HEALING: “Targeting Extracellular Matrix Remodelling in Cutaneous Wounds to Promote Better Healing”

REMOD-HEALING is a research network of leading European and Latin American scientists from academia and industry who want to tackle the burden of pathological wounds by exploiting therapeutic targets and biomarkers associated with extracellular matrix remodelling in cutaneous wounds. Through its research and training activities, the REMOD-HEALING project will contribute to scientific advancement and innovation in wound healing and regenerative medicine through a coordinated, interdisciplinary effort, ultimately leading to societal and economic benefits.

The following project is offered at the University of Münster: Mapping and quantification of collagenase activity in protease-damaged tissue; Subject area: Vascular and stromal ECM, cell adhesion, recombinant production of ECM and mammalian collagenases, protein chemical modifications, protease assays, (in-situ) zymography, CD spectroscopy, FRET and FLIM

Responsibilities

• Generate collagenase-sensitive probes whose cleavage site depends on native triple-helical conformation of collagen
• Equip these collagenase-sensitive probes with FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer)- and FLIM (fluorescence life time microscopy)-capable molecular moieties, which enable fluorescence-based real-time monitoring of their cleavage
• Determine characteristic features of the probes, such as thermal stability of the triple-helical conformation as well as affinity and selectivity for different proteases (e.g. collagenolytic and gelatinolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs))
• Use the probes to localize and quantify collagenase activity in damaged tissue (tissue samples of snake bites and other skin wounds by zymography)
• Use the probes to assess the inhibition of collagenase-targeting tools on different collagenases
• Develop non-cleavable homologs of the collagenase-sensitive probes that block the active site of collagenases

Expected Results

• Develop novel, diagnostic tools for mapping and quantifying collagenase activity within wounded tissue
• A test to determine collagenase activity as a marker of (aberrant) wound healing
• This study will also bring forth lead structures based on triple-helical collagen structures that may serve as collagenase inhibitor that can also be used in mechanistic studies
• Acquisition of common methods of molecular biology (e.g. cloning, PCR), of protein expression, purification and modification, of protein-chemical analysis and detection, of biophysical measurement (e.g. circular dichroism, fluorescence polarisation, FRET analysis) and of microscopy (e.g. fluorescence microscopy, laser scanning microscopy, video microscopy), as well as of cell culture technology (e.g. adhesion, migration, and invasion assays)

REQUIREMENTS

• Masterʼs degree in biology, biochemistry or chemistry
• Experience in protein biochemistry, molecular biology and/or cell biology
• Willingness to learn new methods and technologies in an international and intercultural team environment

WE OFFER

• A 36-month project as Marie Skłodowska-Curie trainee in one of the participating institutions with the objective of receiving a doctoral degree (PhD)
• State-of-the-art research in an international consortium with highly integrated research projects
• Expert training in basic and applied research, along with a thorough understanding of the process involved in transitioning from basic to pre-clinical research
• Research training periods in another consortium memberʼs lab
• Training in both academic and industrial research environments
• Salary according to EU guidelines for Marie Skłodowska-Curie trainees, including mobility payments and family allowances where applicable
• 3-month secondment at CNRS Lyon, France, in the lab of Dr. Catherine Moali for fluorescence polarisation measurements of collagenolytic activity
• 3-week placement at Nordic Bioscience, Herlev, Denmark, in the lab of Dr. Signe Holm Nielsen for testing the collagenase activity probes as an applicable biomarker assay

Benefits

• Exciting Projects
• Professional Development and Training
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Part of Research Innovation
• Additional Benefits