Hosted by:
Bert Poolman
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Department of Biochemistry
www.membraneenzymology.com
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Poolman

Project Specification
Project Summary
The Poolman lab has developed vesicle systems for fuelling of synthetic cells, including reaction networks for ATP and ion gradients. These submicrometer-size vesicles act as functional analogues of mitochondria, but the underlying metabolic networks are much simpler. The main objective of this project is to develop vesicle systems to produce and excrete ATP and precursors for lipids, and to achieve membrane expansion by lipid synthesis. We will exploit the properties of condensates to enhance the efficiency of reaction networks for fuel supply and lipid building blocks inside vesicles.
The project will include secondments at RU, NL (Spruijt group, spruijtlab.com; Compartmentalization of reactions), the MPI in Potsdam, FRG (Dimova group, www.dimova.de; Biophysical analysis of membranes) and MPI in Martinsried, FRG (Schwille group, www.biochem.mpg.de/schwille, Microfluidics technology).
Further information on the interests of the Poolman group can be found on www.membraneenzymology.com.
Selected References
- Heinen L, van den Noort M, King MS, Kunji ERS & Poolman B (2024) Synthetic syntrophy: A platform technology for adenine nucleotide cross-feeding between metabolically active vesicles. Nature Nanotech, in press. doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3990950/v1
- Patino-Ruiz M, Anshari ZR, Gaastra B, Slotboom DJ & Poolman B (2024), Chemiosmotic nutrient transport in synthetic cells powered by electrogenic antiport coupled to decarboxylation, Nature Comm 15: 7976. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52085-z
- Śmigiel WM, Mantovanelli L, Linnik DS, Punter CM, Silberberg J, Xiang L, Xu K & Poolman B (2022) Synthetic syntrophy for adenine nucleotide cross-feeding between metabolically active nanoreactors. Science Adv 8:eabo5387. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo5387
Standard duties and responsibilities of the DC
For the 36 + 12 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. The University of Groningen offers 4-year PhD programs, and the additional 12 months of appointment will be paid by the University (including the research group).
Candidate Specification
Qualifications
Essential | Desirable |
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Applicants should hold or expect to attain, as a minimum a MSc or equivalent, in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering or related area. | Computational skills |
Knowledge and Experience
Essential | Desirable |
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Research project carried out in at least one of the above disciplines. | Microscopy experience (optical, confocal), programming skills |
demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the following: protein chemistry, membrane biology, membrane biophysics, biomolecular condensates, lipid chemistry, molecular biology. |
Skills and Competencies
Essential | Desirable |
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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
- Before applying, please check the eligibility criteria HERE
- To apply, please use EVOLF@RUG.NL
Further information
For any informal queries, please contact Bert Poolman by sending an email to b.poolman [at] rug.nl