On behalf of Prof. Joris Messens:
Postdoctoral position in structure-function studies of redox stress signaling
proteins
Position: A postdoctoral Research position is immediately available for
structure-function studies of plant proteins that control signaling during
oxidative stress. Fellows will join an exciting research environment of the
Messens VIB-laboratory in the Structural Biology Research Center in Brussels.
The Messens laboratory is recognized as a world leader in the redox field, and
the lab provides an outstanding position in protein biochemistry and structure,
in a highly dynamic and team-oriented research group. Successful candidates
will work on the FWO-project ‘The ROS-wave in plants: signaling along the
sulfenome’ in collaboration with the Van Breusegem VIB-lab at Ugent,
specialized in redox stress in plants. In this cutting-edge research
environment of both labs, you will tackle essential biological problems in
plant redox signaling.
Project: In plants, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are accumulated during
abiotic and biotic stress (drought, extreme temperatures and various pathogen
attacks), leading to severe crop yield losses worldwide due to their adverse
effect on plant growth and development. However, tightly regulated, ROS act as
signal transducers orchestrating plant development and metabolic adaptation to
stress conditions. To get insights into these processes, we recently identified
the sulfenome of plant cells under oxidative (H2O2) stress. The sulfenome is
the set of proteins in which a cysteine thiol (-SH) is oxidized to a sulfenic
acid (-SOH). These reversible post-transcriptional modifications function as
“thiol-switches” which alter the biochemical properties of redox sensing
proteins. Together with the Van Breusegem lab, we identified redox active
proteins involved in signal transduction, redox homeostasis and a plethora of
other metabolic pathways in plants.
In this project, we aim to establish a detailed structural and functional view
of the mode of action of these redox proteins, in order to scrutinize their
role in signaling during oxidative stress survival in plants.
Requirements: Applicants should have obtained a PhD in the last 5 years.
Expertise with protein biochemistry and structural biology is essential.
Knowledge of biophysical techniques and enzymology is an asset.
Please send a cover letter discussing your interests in the laboratory and the
project as well as your CV and list of 3 individuals as references to
joris.mess...@vib-vub.be.
Dr. Inge Van Molle
VIB, Department of Structural Biology
Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Building E, room 4.16, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium
Tel. 003226291992
Mobile 0032486521278
