Belgium - Catholic University of Leuven PhD Positions in Molecular Physiology of Plants and Micro-organisms
September 13th, 2008
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A PhD position is available at the Unit of Molecular Physciology of Plants and Micro-organisms of the University of Leuven (Belgium) for a motivated scientist with an interest in molecular plant physiology, signalling, transgenic plant generation and botechnological applications.
This position is targeted at candidates from non-EEA countries (European Economic Area = European Union + Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and have a Masters degree in Life Sciences (Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Bioengineering…). Applications are invited from enthusiastic graduates with an excellent study track record. We offer a challenging research environment and an intense experience leading to a PhD degree.
Mankind is becoming increasingly dependent on plant production, not only for staple foods, but also for energy, fine chemicals, functional foods, drugs and vaccines. Four KULeuven labs have joined forces to contribute to the development of superior crops with higher yields and biomass through optimization of carbon allocation and stress tolerance.
Plants use glucose and sucrose ’signals’ to coordinate metabolism withenvironmental and hormonal signals for optimal growth and development. So far, no sucrose sensor(s) have been identified in plants. Sucrose signalling affects germination, senescence, flowering and anthocyanin production. The specific induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis will be exploited for massive screening of Arabidopsis seedlings from a T-DNA insertion mutant collection on growth medium containing high sucrose concentrations or inhibitors/treatments causing intracellular accumulation of sucrose, with visual and non-destructive selection for the absence of the deep purple colour of anthocyanin accumulation.
To avoid the isolation of (numerous anticipated) mutants in the complex and extensive anthocyanin synthesis pathway, further selection will test for the expression of the MYB75 transcription factor, a key sucrose-induced upstream regulator of anthocynanin production. T-DNA-flanking sequences of mutants deficient in MYB75 induction will be identified. In addition, a reporter line expressing a luciferase gene under control of sucrose induced repression of translation will be mutagenized and mutants with deficient translation repression will be isolated using luminescence imaging. Affected genes will be identified by map-based cloning. Candidate sucrose sensor genes isolated in these two screens will be characterized in transgenic plants and expressed heterologously. The derived proteins will be purified for further detailed characterization and sucrose binding studies. The discovery of a sucrose sensor will enable the deciphering of the downstream events in the sucrose signaling pathway using protein interaction analyses, cellular (protoplast) transient expression and transgenics.
This scholarship includes social security and insurances.
Application deadline: 15/10/2008
More info on: http://phd.kuleuven.be/set/voorstellen_dbof.php
K.U.Leuven
Department of Biology
Kasteelpark Arenberg 31 - bus 2434
Heverlee 3001
BELGIUM
Tel: (+32) 16 32 19 52
E-Mail: Wim.VanDenEnde@bio.kuleuven.be
Website: http://bio.kuleuven.be/pf/pfo/
Entry Filed under: Belgium
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