PhD student position in structural studies on Plasmodium actin-based motility
We are looking for outstanding, highly motivated PhD student candidates to join the group of Inari Kursula studying the structure and function of Plasmodium actin and its regulatory proteins at the Faculty for Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Oulu. Plasmodium and related apicomplexan parasites move by the means of gliding motility, which is actin-dependent and does not involve specialized organelles or notable changes in cell shape. Apicomplexa are primitive protozoan eukaryotes, and their actin and its regulatory system differ significantly from those of higher eukaryotes. Although many of the components of the molecular motor responsible for generating the force for gliding are known, the structure and mechanism of this motor are still enigmatic. We aim to determine the structure and mechanism of the apicomplexan gliding motor at the molecular/atomic level. We expect the results to give insight into the evolution of actin-based cell motility and also enable identification of drug/vaccine targets against malaria. Several lines of research are ongoing in the group, and the exact project will be agreed on with the successful candidate. We use a wide selection of structural biology methods (X-ray crystallography, SAXS, cryo-EM) as well as molecular biology and protein biochemistry and biophysics. Some experience and/or basic knowledge and keen interest in these methods and protein expression and purification from bacterial and eukaryotic expression systems is expected from the successful candidate. Recent publications from the project: Vahokoski J, Bhargav SP, Desfosses A, Andreadaki M, Kumpula EP, Muñico Martinez S, Ignatev A, Lepper S, Frischknecht F, Sidén-Kiamos I, Sachse C & Kursula I (2014) Structural differences explain diverse functions of Plasmodium actins. PLoS Pathog, 10: e1004091. PMID: 24743229 Salamun J, Kallio JP, Daher W, Soldati-Favre D & Kursula I (2014) Structure of Toxoplasma gondii coronin – an actin-binding protein that relocalizes to the posterior pole of invasive parasites and contributes to invasion and egress. FASEB J, in press. PMID: 25114175 More information on our group can be found on our group website: www.desy.de/~inari/lab<http://www.desy.de/~inari/lab> Website of the institute: http://www.oulu.fi/fbmm/ Funding is available for 3 years from 1.1.2015, and applications will be considered until a suitable candidate has been identified. Applications and informal inquiries should be sent by e-mail to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. The application should contain a cover letter describing your reasons/motivation for applying for this position and your expertise, a CV, a list of publications, and the names and contact details of 2-3 referees. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inari Kursula, PhD Academy of Finland Research Fellow Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research CSSB-HZI at DESY Notkestrasse 85, Bldg. 25b 22607 Hamburg Germany and Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine University of Oulu Aapistie 7 90220 Oulu Finland http://www.desy.de/~inari/lab [email protected], [email protected] +49-(0)40-89986151, +358-(0)29448-1187 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
