Hosted by:
Rumiana Dimova
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
Department of Sustainable & Bio-inspired Materials
Membrane Biophysics Group, www.dimova.de
Project Specification
Project Summary
Dimova Lab has extensive experience in the biophysical characterization of bio- and model membranes and giant vesicles as synthetic cells. The main objective of this project is to harness the power of photoresponsive species to achieve precise spatiotemporal control over membrane deformation. Photoswitches will be asymmetrically incorporated into the membranes of giant vesicles, with internal compartmentation established by condensate droplets. The aim is to develop a novel approach for targeted exocytosis and division within these synthetic cells, advancing our understanding of membrane dynamics and creating new opportunities for applications in synthetic biology and cellular engineering. This approach may enable the implementation of photoresponsive species for controlling RNA and protein-based drug delivery and therapeutics.
The project will include secondments at AMOLF in the Netherlands (Ganzinger Group), the University of Siena in Italy (Rossi Group), and the Berlin branch of Nature Communications.
Further information on the research interests of the Dimova Lab can be found on this website: www.dimova.de
Selected References
- A. Mangiarotti, M. Aleksanyan, M. Siri, R. Lipowsky and R. Dimova, Photoswitchable endocytosis of biomolecular condensates in giant vesicles, Adv. Sci. 11, 2309864 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202309864
- A. Mangiarotti and R. Dimova, Biomolecular condensates in contact with membranes, Annu. Rev. Biophys. 53, 319-341 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-biophys-030722-121518
- M. Aleksanyan, A. Grafmüller, F. Crea, V.N. Georgiev, N. Yandrapalli, S. Block, J. Heberle and R. Dimova, Photomanipulation of minimal synthetic cells: area increase, softening, and interleaflet coupling of membrane models doped with azobenzene-lipid photoswitches, Adv. Sci. 10, 2304336 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202304336
Standard duties and responsibilities of the DC
For the 36 months of employment contract the doctoral candidate (DC) will be required to work exclusively on the MSCA programme. In all cases, all duties and responsibilities will be clearly outlined in the DC personal Career Development Plan, as determined in the early stages of the project between the DC and their supervisory committee.
Candidate Specification
Qualifications
| Essential | Desirable |
|---|---|
| Applicants should hold or expect to attain, as a minimum MSc degree, or equivalent, in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Molecular biology, Bioengineering or related area. | Practical experience with model membranes and/or biomolecular condensates |
Knowledge and Experience
| Essential | Desirable |
|---|---|
| Research project carried out in at least one of the above disciplines. | Microscopy experience (optical, confocal), programming skills |
| A demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the following: membrane biophysics, membrane biology, biomolecular condensates, lipid chemistry, synthetic biology, colloidal physical chemistry. |
Skills and Competencies
| Essential | Desirable |
|---|---|
| Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English. | |
| Evidence of interest, aptitude and research experience in the above disciplines. |
Application
Application is now closed.
Further information
For any informal queries, please contact Rumiana Dimova by sending an email to Rumiana.Dimova [at] mpikg.mpg.de