图宾根大学招收细菌学博士
About the Project
Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms by which a TAL effector of the bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia promotes multiplication in host plants.
Transcription Activator-Like Effectors (TALEs) have been a hot topic in molecular biology due to their programmable DNA binding domain. While the discovery of CRISPR-Cas systems has dampened the buzz around TALE nucleases (TALENs), this system has recently experienced a renaissance for manipulation of plastid genomes that cannot be edited with CRISPR-Cas systems.
TALEs occur naturally in Xanthomonas and Ralstonia, two bacterial plant pathogens that increase their virulence by injecting TALEs into host cells. When injected, the TALEs bind to and transcriptionally activate specific plant genes that increase the susceptibility of the host to the bacterial invader. A major goal of our research is to understand how TALE-dependent ectopic expression of plant host genes translates into an advantage for the pathogen.
The aim of the advertised project is to clarify how the TALE protein Brg11 of the root pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum promotes microbial infection. In previous work, we defined first the DNA target preference of Brg11 (de Lange, 2013, New Phytol, 199, 773.). We then showed that Brg11 exclusively activates host arginine decarboxylase (ADC) genes, which encode key enzymes of polyamine (PA) biosynthesis (Wu, 2019, Cell Host Microbe 26, 638). In addition, we have recently established an experimental assay that allows us to study the function of TALEs specifically in effector-targeted cells rather than in bulk infected plant tissue (You, 2023, Nature Plants 9, 128). During your PhD, you will study Brg11-induced changes in root cells using confocal microscopy, single-cell RNA-Seq and metabolic profiling.
The PhD position is available at the Centre for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP) a leading international centre for plant molecular research that hosts numerous research groups investigating plant-microbe interactions. This project is part of the TRR356 – a consortium of plant researchers in Tuebingen and Munich.
Experience with work in the field of plant-microbe interaction is an advantage, but not essential. Applicants must have a Master's degree in molecular biology or biochemistry. Please include scanned transcripts with your application. Candidates should be creative, willing to be an independent researcher and able to work collaboratively in a team.
Candidates must have good communication skills and be fluent in written and spoken English. German knowledge is useful but not required. The PhD candidate will be integrated in the ZMBP graduate program.
Applicants should submit a CV, including contact details of two or more referees. Please note that a covering letter explaining your motivation for applying for this project in particular will be an important criterion in the selection of applicants. Applications will be reviewed immediately and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found. The University of Tübingen is committed to increasing the proportion of women in science, and qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply. Equally qualified applicants with disabilities will be given preference.
转自：“学术橙”微信公众号
如有侵权，请联系本站删除！
