Hosted by:
Petra Schwille
Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried
Cellular and Molecular Biophysics
https://www.biochem.mpg.de/schwille
Project Specification
Project Summary
The Schwille group aims to (re)construct cellular processes, and ultimately minimal living cells, from dramatically simplified functional subsystems, such as proteins and protein assemblies. Besides being able to investigate biomolecular processes with unprecedented precision in cell-free environments, this approach will also provide insights about the emergence of complexity as a main driver of biological evolution. We have in the past accomplished a thorough biochemical mastering of a class of self-organizing, pattern-forming bacterial proteins that can be harnessed to precisely position proteins and other surface-bound molecules on biological membranes. As membrane-less condensates have recently shown to act as local membrane-active agents, we will explore how and whether different kinds of biological condensates can be actively targeted to membrane surfaces and within protocell vesicles. The project aims at tailoring the protein positioning machinery to position both, surface-attached condensate nuclei, and whole condensate droplets on membranes of variable composition, size, and shape.
The project will include mandatory secondments at UC London, UK (Di Michele Group), and at MPI Potsdam (Reinhard Lipowsky), as well as further optional ones.
Selected References
- Litschel, T., Kelley, C. F., Cheng, X., Babl, L., Mizuno, N., Case, L. B., Schwille, P.,Membrane-induced 2D phase separation of the focal adhesion protein talin, Membrane-induced 2D phase separation of the focal adhesion protein talin, Nat Commun 15, 4986 (2024)
- Reverte-López, M., Gavrilovic, S., Merino-Salomón, A., Eto, H., Yagüe Relimpio, A., Rivas, G., Schwille, P., Protein-Based Patterning to Spatially Functionalize Biomimetic Membranes Small Methods 7, 2300173 (2023)
- Ramm, B.*, Goychuk, A.*, Khmelinskaia, A., Blumhardt, P., Eto, H., Ganzinger, K., Frey, E., Schwille, P. A diffusiophoretic mechanism for ATP-driven transport without motor proteins Nat Phys 17, 850-858 (2021)
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. | Fluorescence microscopy and/or spectroscopy, programming |
| A demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the following: membrane biophysics, biomolecular condensates, protein biochemistry, single molecule analysis. |
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 Petra Schwille by sending an email to schwille [at] biochem.mpg.de