ComeInCell Doctoral Network PhD Studentship: Active membrane expansion with condensates

This PhD position is offered through the ComeInCell European MSCA Doctoral Network. More details about PhD projects offered through the ComeInCell Program can be found here: https://www.comeincell.org/projects

Hosted by:
Bert Poolman

wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Poolman
University of Groningen, Department of Biochemistry,

The Netherlands

Project Summary

The Poolman lab has developed vesicle systems for synthesis of lipids from fatty acids and small molecule building blocks, which occurs on one leaflet of synthetic membranes. Hence, asymmetry in the membrane and limited expansion is possible. We will now implement lipid translocases to flip lipids from the inner to the outer leaflet or flop lipids from the outer to inner leaflet, depending on the topology of the lipid biosynthesis pathway. The building blocks and ATP required for lipid synthesis will be produced in DC6. We will combine active membrane expansion with the intra-vesicle expression of synthetic RNA condensates to engineering complex re-structuring events such as engulfment, exocytosis, membrane rupture and/or fission.

The project will include secondments at UC, UK (Di Michele group, www.DiMicheleLab.org; Condensate formation and soft matter) and HHU in Dusseldorf, FRG (Exterkate group, www.membiolip.hhu.de; Lipid biosynthesis and LC-MS).

Selected References

• Bailoni E & Poolman B (2022) ATP recycling fuels sustainable glycerol 3‑phosphate formation in synthetic cells fed by dynamic dialysis. ACS Synth Biol 11:2348-2360. doi: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00075
• Bailoni E, Patino0Ruiz MF, Stan AR, Schuurman-Wolters GK, Exterkate M, Driessen AJM & Poolman B (2024) Synthetic vesicles for sustainable energy recycling and delivery of building blocks for lipid biosynthesis. ACS Synth Biol 13: 1549. doi: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00073.
• Coenradij J, Bailoni E & Poolman B (2024) Construction of out-of-equilibrium metabolic networks in nano- and micrometer-sized vesicles. J. Vis Exp doi: 10.3791/66627.

General Application Information
Funding information:
Funding agency: H2020-MSCA-ITN-2023 (Project Nr: 101168939)

Doctoral Candidate (DC) Allowances:
MSCA Doctoral Networks provide attractive salary terms and benefits, including a living allowance of around €3,400 (country correction coefficient applies), a mobility allowance of €600 and, a family allowance (€660 if applicable). Note that these are gross values and employer costs or other deductions depend on the recruiting host.

Mobility Conditions:
MSCA networks require that applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.

The individual scientific projects are planned within one of the partner Host Institution and every doctoral candidate will spend a part of their doctoral studies in another partner laboratory (a maximum of 12 months of their 36 months PhDs).

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)

Starting Date:
All projects will commence preferably within the first half of 2025, depending on the host institution. Contact the corresponding PIs for more details.

Candidate Specification

Qualifications
Essential: Applicants should hold or expect to attain, as a minimum a MSc or equivalent, in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering or related area.

Desirable: Computational skills

Knowledge and Experience
Essential: Research project carried out in at least one of the above disciplines and a demonstrated knowledge of at least one of the following: protein chemistry, membrane biology, membrane biophysics, biomolecular condensates, soft matter, molecular biology

Desirable: Microscopy experience (optical, confocal), programming skills

Skills and Competencies
Essential: Evidence of interest, aptitude and research experience in the above disciplines.

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English.