How can membranes control condensate formation and location? (DC14)                                                                                      

Hosted by:
Raya Sorkin
Tel Aviv University
School of Chemistry
www.sorkinlab.sites.tau.ac.il/


Project Specification

Project Summary

The Sorkin Lab has extensive experience in studying membrane remodelling processes using mechanical single-molecule techniques. In this project, we aim to reveal the effect of membrane composition and membrane phase separation on condensate formation by AFM imaging and force spectroscopy, characterizing the sub-saturated phase and condensate nucleation steps. The effects of membrane tension on condensate association will be tested by stretching supported membranes or inducing area changes by photo-sensitive lipids. This research will elucidate the effects of membrane tension and composition on condensate formation and association, with findings expected to enhance our understanding of condensate-membrane interactions in both synthetic systems and cellular models, potentially providing new methods for targeting condensates to specific membrane locations.

The project will involve secondments at CSIC (Rivas Group) to learn about protein condensate preparation, and at the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces (Dimova Group) to learn about preparation of asymmetric membranes with photo-responsive lipids.

Selected References

  • Transmembrane Proteins Tetraspanin 4 and CD9 Sense Membrane Curvature, Dharan, R., Goren, S., Cheppali, S. K., Shendrik, P., Brand, G., Vaknin, A., Yu, L., Kozlov, M. M., Sorkin, R., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (2022), 119,43, e2208993119. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2208993119 
  • Membrane Tension Inhibits Lipid Mixing by Increasing the Hemifusion Stalk Energy Shendrik P., Golani G., Dharan R., Schwarz U. S., and Sorkin R., ACS Nano, 17, 19, 18942–18951, (2023), https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c04293 
  • Extracellular domain 2 of TSPAN4 governs its functions, Dharan R., Vaknin A., Sorkin R., Biophysical Reports, 4 (2), 100149, 2024, (2024), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpr.2024.100149 

Standard duties and responsibilities of the DC

For the 48 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 equivalent, in Biophysics, Physics, Chemistry, Bioengineering or related area.

Knowledge and Experience

EssentialDesirable
Research project carried out in at least one of the above disciplines.AFM or Microscopy experience (optical, confocal) 
A demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the following: membrane biophysics, biomolecular condensates, lipid chemistry, colloidal physical chemistry, soft matter

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

To apply and for further information, contact Raya Sorkin by sending an email to rsorkin [at] tauex.tau.ac.il

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