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Biochemistry, Cluster Biomedische Wetenschappen en Extramurale Geneeskunde (CBEG) The department of Biochemistry has tasks in the fields of both teaching and research. Within the University Medical Centre St Radboud biochemistry is teached to students Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Dentistry and the research master program Molecular Mechanism of Disease. In addition, the department is involved in the teaching programs for Science students from the Radboud University, in particular Chemistry, Biology and Molecular Life Sciences students. The research is coordinated in four research groups: Matrix Biochemistry, Membrane Biochemistry, Visual Biochemistry and Biochemistry of Integrative Systems. The groups are housed in the Research Tovwer and participate in the Nijmegen Centre of Molecular Life Sciences (NCMLS). Within these groups both fundamental and applied research is performed to normal and pathological prcesses within and around the human cell.

Job profile
The PhD-student will carry out research for the project “Protein complexes in T cell signal transduction”.

• Accomplishes a PhD thesis

Requirements
MSc in (medical) biology or chemistry

• Strong background in cellular signal transduction and fluorescence microscopy
• Exposure to digital image processing will be beneficial
• Willingness to conduct interdisciplinary research
• Ability to manage large scale experiments is expected

Terms of employment

• Temporary 4 years
• 36 hrs per week
• Salary level 10A: maximal € 2482 gross per month

Information
Mr. prof. dr. R. Brock, professor biochemistry, (024) 3666213

Closing date : 6 april 2007

Application
Preferably on line via: http://www.umcn.nl

Written applications including CV to:
UMC St Radboud
Mw. M. Korsten, HRM counsellor
155 CBEG
Concerns vacancy: 07646
Postbus 9101
6500 HB Nijmegen

Additional information:
07646 PhD-student

Project: Protein complexes in T cell signal transduction
Signal transduction inside cells occurs through the rearrangement of molecular complexes and enzymatic reactions. In the past years our group has developed several approaches to analyze signaling-dependent changes in the pattern of molecular interactions in T cells. Moreover, we have used surfaces coated with T cell stimuli to study the temporal dynamics of the clustering of signaling molecules. Lately, we have started to use microcontact printing as a powerful approach to microstructure surfaces with T cell stimuli. These microstructures are intended to closely mimick the interface between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell, yet enable a highly robust analysis of signaling complexes by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

In this project T cells shall be exposed to surfaces functionalized with stimulatory and costimulatory molecules by means of microcontact printing. In fixed cells, the formation and composition of clusters of signaling complexes will be analysed using quantum dot-labeled antibodies for the detection of signaling proteins. Quantum dots are highly powerful fluorophores that are especially suited for the detection of many different proteins in parallel. These techniques will be used to define differences in cellular signal transduction in different types of T cells and to determine how treatment with costimulatory molecules affects the formation of signaling clusters.

The project will be conducted in close collaboration with other projects within the group and with groups in the Nijmegen Centre for Molecular Life Sciences (NCMLS) especially within the Department of Immunology. This Ph. D. thesis will provide the chance to learn a broad spectrum of state of the art techniques at the interface of nanobiotechnology, advanced fluorescence microscopy and immunology. All necessary infrastructure for the preparation of microstructured surfaces and state-of-the-art confocal laser scanning microscopy equipment are available.

The preferable candidate should have a strong background in cellular signal transduction and fluorescence microscopy. Prior exposure to digital image processing will be beneficial. Moreover, the willingness to conduct interdisciplinary research and the ability to manage large scale experiments is expected.

Please send your resumé and CV together with one reference.

Relevant publications:
Köhler, K., Lellouch, A. C., Stoevesandt, O., Vollmer, S., Hoff, A., Peters L., Rogl, H., Malissen, B., Brock, R., Chemical genetics when timing is critical: A pharmacological concept for the maturation of T cell contacts, ChemBioChem, 6 (2005) 152-161
Stoevesandt, O., Fischer, R., Köhler, K., Johnston, I.C.D., Brock, R., One-step analysis of protein complexes in microliters of cell lysate, Nature Methods, 2 (2005) 833-835
Stoevesandt, O., Köhler, K., Wolf, S., André, T., Hummel, W., Brock, R., A network analysis of changes in molecular interactions in cellular signaling, Mol. Cell. Prot., in press

Category: Australia, Graduate-Master, Netherlands