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A
two-year post-doctoral fellowship is available in the “kinetic protein
crystallography” team of the Institute for Structural Biology (IBS), Grenoble, France
(http://www.ibs.fr/content/ibs_eng/presentation/lab/lccp/cinetique/).
It consists
in studying the fluorescence mechanisms of fluorescent proteins (FP’s)
from the
Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) family (cf 2008 Chemistry Nobel price),
by
combining X-ray crystallography with UV-visible and Raman
microspectrophotometry.
Fluorescent proteins are used as markers in fluorescence cell imaging.
Recently
discovered photo-activatable FP’s (PAFP’s) undergo multiple
photo-conversion
processes, which make them invaluable tools to study cell dynamics and
develop
super-resolution imaging methods. Such proteins also offer fascinating
perspectives
for biotechnological applications such as the development of
high-capacity
storage devices. The work aims at improving our fundamental knowledge
of the
photophysics of PAFP’s, and at rationally designing new PAFP’s with
enhanced
properties. It will involve both local and international collaborations
with
teams specialized in molecular biology, ab-initio
quantum calculations and cell imaging. The project will be performed in
the
context of a very tight collaboration with the ESRF synchrotron and
will make
intense usage of the Cryobench, a laboratory dedicated to in
crystallo spectroscopic techniques (http://www.esrf.eu/UsersAndScience/Experiments/MX/Cryobench/).
Photo-activation will be triggered in PAFP crystals following the
methods of
kinetic crystallography, so as to determine the induced conformational
changes
along the switching pathway. Neutron crystallography of a PAFP will
also be undertaken.
Candidates
should have a strong expertise in crystallography,
biochemistry and UV-visible spectroscopy. A general background in
bio-physics
and an interest for imaging applications is recommended to conduct this
highly
pluri-disciplinary project. Administrative rules state that candidates
should preferably
be less than 30 years and have defended their phD in the last 2 years.
The
monthly gross salary will amount to ~2750 €.
Applications
should be sent to Dominique Bourgeois ([EMAIL PROTECTED]).
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Dominique BOURGEOIS
/\ Dominique Bourgeois /\/\
/ \ LCCP IBS /\/ /\
/\/ \ UMR 5075 / \/ \
/ \ \ 41 Rue Jules Horowitz \ \
\ \ 38027 GRENOBLE Cedex 1 \ \
\ \ FRANCE \ \
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