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

Posted on 15 November 2024

Job type: phd

Location: Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam

Closing Date: 31 December 2024

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:
Rumiana Dimova
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
Department of Sustainable & Bio-inspired Materials
Membrane Biophysics Group

Project Summary

The Dimova Lab has extensive experience in the biophysical characterization of bio- and model membranes and giant vesicles as synthetic cells. The main objective of this project is to comprehensively examine the stability and mechanical properties of membranes in contact with biomolecular condensates. We will examine membranes either featuring a “molecular” condensate layer or by adsorbing macromolecules with condensate-forming domains. We will investigate the protective role of condensates and potential resealing of synthetic cells exposed to porating factors such as electric pulses, peptides and osmotic shock. We aim to elucidate the influence of macromolecular crowding on pore lifetime, potential pore occlusion and plugging by condensates, and the dynamics of membrane recovery.

The obtained results will inform strategies for developing advanced membrane-based technologies in biotechnology and medicine.

The project will include secondments at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (Šarić group), École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS, France (Marques lab), and the Berlin branch of Nature Communications.

Further information on the research interests of the Dimova Lab can be found on this website: www.dimova.de

Selected References

  • C. Bussi, A. Mangiarotti, C. Vanhille-Campos, B. Aylan, E. Pellegrino, N. Athanasiadi, A. Fearns, A. Rodgers, T.M. Franzmann, A. Šarić, R. Dimova and M.G. Gutierrez, Stress granules plug and stabilize damaged endolysosomal membranes. Nature 623, 1062–1069 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06726-w
  • A. Mangiarotti and R. Dimova, Biomolecular condensates in contact with membranes, Annu. Rev. Biophys. 53, 319-341 (2024); https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-biophys-030722-121518
  • R.B. Lira, F.S.C. Leomil, R.J. Melo, K.A Riske and R. Dimova, To close or to collapse: the role of charges on membrane stability upon pore formation, Adv. Sci., 8, 2004068 (2021); https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202004068

 

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 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, Biochemistry, Physics, Chemistry, Molecular biology, Bioengineering or related area.

Desirable: Practical experience with model membranes and/or biomolecular condensates

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, membrane biology, biomolecular condensates, lipid chemistry, synthetic biology, colloidal physical chemistry.

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.

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