Doctorado o Post-doc en Mecanismos de transporte de ADN

PhD and Postdoctoral Positions on the Mechanisms of DNA Transport by SpoIIIE
The single-molecule biophysics group at the CBS laboratory has a PhD and a postdoctoral position available to work on the mechanisms of DNA transport by SpoIIIE, an AAA+ ring-ATPase from Bacillus subtilis.

We are primarily interested on the mechanisms of molecular motors that transport DNA in and between bacteria. These motors use the energy of ATP hydrolysis to processively translocate DNA between cellular compartments or different cells, and belong to the large and diverse AAA+ family of ATPases. AAA+ motors tend to form closed multimeric rings in which ATP hydrolysis and substrate movement are closely correlated and coordinated. In particular, we want to understand the general mechanisms governing translocation directionality, transduction of energy into movement, and complex assembly. In general, we are interested in understanding the larger network of genetic interactions affecting the process of DNA transport in vivo.
The project will focus on the mechanism of SpoIIIE, a DNA translocase responsible for chromosomal translocation during sporulation in Bacillus subtilis.

We have so far studied the behaviour of SpoIIIE translocation in vitro using single-molecule magnetic tweezers and ensemble methods, and in vivo using a novel assay for monitoring DNA translocation in real-time (Nollmann et al., 2008). The project will (1) tackle the coupling of energy transduction into movement in vitro by developing and applying novel single-molecule manipulation and atomic force microscopy methods, and (2) investigate the properties of DNA translocation in vivo by applying newly developed fluorescence microscopy methods. The project will greatly profit from in house collaborations with our single-molecule fluorescence and atomic force microscopy groups and will involve travel to work with our collaborators in France, UK and the US.
The successful candidate will have an interest in single-molecule manipulation and fluorescence microscopy. Experience in physics, molecular biology, or biochemistry will be required. Contact: Marcelo Nollmann (nollmann@cbs.cnrs.fr/, phone: +33 4 67 41 79 12)

For more details, see the following link: http://www.cbs.cnrs.fr/SP/single-molecule-biophysics/