ComeInCell Doctoral Network PhD Studentship: Exploring the impact of protein condensates on membrane resilience and repair mechanisms

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:
Raya Sorkin
Tel Aviv University
School of Chemistry

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

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 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.

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 MSc degree, or equivalent, in Biophysics, Physics, Chemistry, Bioengineering or related area.

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: membrane biophysics, biomolecular condensates, lipid chemistry, colloidal physical chemistry, soft matter

Desirable: AFM or Microscopy experience (optical, confocal)

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.