Dear Colleagues:
Please ignore if this e.mail is a repeat reception – and apologies then in
advance.
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This is to bring to your attention an opening for a PhD student position as
described below.
A fully Funded Ph.D. position at the School of Biological Sciences, University
of Auckland and AgResearch, New Zealand
The bacteria derived anti-feeding prophage (Afp) is a unique DNA-free,
phage-like entity likened to a cell free type 6 secretion system. It is
pathogenic to a biological pest, the New Zealand pasture (grass grub) by
transporting and delivering a protein toxin to the grass grub larvae. In order
to assess the mechanism of Afp assembly and target cell interaction, we are
seeking well-qualified and highly motivated candidates for doctoral student
positions. Using structural, molecular and cell biology, the projects seeks to
determine and demonstrate the mechanism of Afp cell targeting and toxin
delivery to the insect grass grub host.
The student will be determining 3-D structures that are
specifically of cell targeting regions of Afp and that of the Afp toxin. The
student will have an interest and prior training in cryo electron microscopy
and/or X ray crystallography. Students with experience in molecular cloning,
protein expression, purification will be preferred.
The PhD position will be in collaborative dialogue allowing a cross
fertilization of projects with Dr Mark Hurst AgResearch Lincoln and Dr Alok K.
Mitra, University of Auckland. Fees and a three-year stipend will be provided
as part of the New Zealand MBIE endeavour fund contract – “Insect active nano
machines”.
For further information, please send a current CV containing 3 referee names
and contact to Dr. Alok K. Mitra, School of Biological Sciences, University of
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Tel: +64 09 923 8162, E-mail:
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>, and Dr Mark Hurst
Forage Science AgReserach Lincoln, New Zealand Tel +64 03 3259919, E-mail:
[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>.
Hurst MRH, Beattie A, Jones SA, Laugraud A, van Koten C, Harper L. (2018)
Serratia proteamaculansstrain AGR96X encodes an antifeeding prophage (Tailocin)
with activity against grass grub (Costelytra giveni) and manuka beetle
(Pyronota species) larvae. Appl Environ Microbiol. 84(10). pii: e02739-17. doi:
10.1128/AEM.02739-17
Rybakova D Radjainia M, Turner A, Sen A, Mitra AK and Hurst MRH. (2013) Role of
antifeeding prophage (Afp) protein Afp16 in terminating the length of the Afp
tailocin and stabilizing its sheath. Mol Micro. 89:702–714.
Rybakova D, Schramm P, Mitra AK, Hurst MR. (2015) Afp14 is involved in
regulating the length of Anti-feeding prophage (Afp). Mol Microbiol. 96: 815-26.
Heymann JB, Bartho JD, Rybakova D, Venugopal HP, Winkler DC, Sen A, Hurst MR,
Mitra AK (2013) 3-dimensional structure of the toxin-delivery particle
antifeeding prophage of Serratia entomophila. J Biol Chem. 288: 25276-84
Hurst MRH, Beard SS, Jackson TA, Jones SM. (2007) Isolation and
characterisation of the Serratia entomophila antifeeding prophage. FEMS
Microbiol Letts 270:42.
Thank you for your attention
Kind regards
Dr. Alok K. Mitra
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