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 comprehensively examine the stability and mechanical properties of membranes in contact with biomolecular condensates. We will examine membranes either featuring a “molecular” condensate layer or by adsorbing macromolecules with condensate-forming domains. We will investigate the protective role of condensates and potential resealing of synthetic cells exposed to porating factors such as electric pulses, peptides and osmotic shock. We aim to elucidate the influence of macromolecular crowding on pore lifetime, potential pore occlusion and plugging by condensates, and the dynamics of membrane recovery.
The obtained results will inform strategies for developing advanced membrane-based technologies in biotechnology and medicine.
The project will include secondments at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (Šarić group), École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS, France (Marques lab), 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
- C. Bussi, A. Mangiarotti, C. Vanhille-Campos, B. Aylan, E. Pellegrino, N. Athanasiadi, A. Fearns, A. Rodgers, T.M. Franzmann, A. Šarić, R. Dimova and M.G. Gutierrez, Stress granules plug and stabilize damaged endolysosomal membranes. Nature 623, 1062–1069 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06726-w
- 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
- R.B. Lira, F.S.C. Leomil, R.J. Melo, K.A Riske and R. Dimova, To close or to collapse: the role of charges on membrane stability upon pore formation, Adv. Sci., 8, 2004068 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202004068
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, molecular biology, 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
Further information
For any informal queries, please contact Rumiana Dimova by sending an email to Rumiana.Dimova [at] mpikg.mpg.de