Biomolecular condensate interactions with the membrane in a dynamic membrane system (DC05)

Hosted by:
Marten Exterkate
Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
Institute of Biochemistry
Membrane Biogenesis and Lipidomics Group

Project Specification

Project Summary

In the Exterkate lab we focus on the core building blocks of the membrane: lipids. Cellular membranes have no ‘fixed’ lipid composition, but instead are highly dynamic, through insertion of newly synthesized lipids, but also remodelling of already existing lipids. In this way, cellular membranes can adapt to, for example, environmental changes. In recent years, the lab has managed to enzymatically synthesize novel lipids from simple building blocks and insert them into a liposomal model system. As a consequence, liposomal membrane expansion was observed, which is a mimic of synthetic cellular growth. Although this is an important break-through, additional steps are now needed to create synthetic membranes that mimic more natural cellular conditions. In this project we will now focus on adding cellular crowding to our growing membrane system by introducing specific condensates. 

First, we will assess the influence of, for example, membrane charge, expansion and packing, on the stability of the condensate-vesicle complex, while the membrane is expanding, which will advance our general understanding. Secondly, we plan to introduce membrane remodelling through environmental stimuli, thereby creating an advanced synthetic mimic of a native cellular membrane.

This project will include secondments at the University of Leuven (KU) in Belgium (Casadevall i Solvas group), the University of Nijmegen (RU) in the Netherlands (Spruijt group), and the Berlin branch of Nature Communications.

Further information on the research interests of the Exterkate Group can be found on this website: https://www.membiolip.hhu.de/ 

Selected References

  • Exterkate, M.; Driessen, A. J. M. Continuous Expansion of a Synthetic Minimal Cellular Membrane. Emerg. Top. Life Sci. 2019, ETLS20190020. https://doi.org/10.1042/etls20190020.
  • Exterkate, M.; Caforio, A.; Stuart, M. C. A.; Driessen, A. J. M. Growing Membranes in Vitro by Continuous Phospholipid Biosynthesis from Free Fatty Acids. ACS Synth. Biol. 2018, 7 (1), 153–165. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssynbio.7b00265.
  • Bailoni, E.; Patiño-Ruiz, M. F.; Stan, A. R.; Schuurman-Wolters, G. K.; Exterkate, M.; Driessen, A. J. M.; Poolman, B. Synthetic Vesicles for Sustainable Energy Recycling and Delivery of Building  Blocks for Lipid Biosynthesis(†). ACS Synth. Biol. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssynbio.4c00073.

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

EssentialDesirable
Applicants should hold or expect to attain, as a minimum a MSc or 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Bioengineering or related area.

Knowledge and Experience

EssentialDesirable
Research project carried out in at least one of the above disciplines.Practical experience with Biomolecular condensates and Giant unilamellar vesicles.
A demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the following: membrane biophysics, biomolecular condensates, membrane protein biochemistry. 

Skills and Competencies

EssentialDesirable
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 Marten Exterkate by sending an email to Marten.Exterkate [at] hhu.de

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