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Department/Institute: LMU Faculty of Biology, Microbiology
Subject areas/Research fields: Microbiology, Molecular Biology
Keywords: signal transduction, environmental stress, drug discovery
Name of supervisor: Prof. Dr. Kirsten Jung
Project title: Function of LytS/LytTR-type Histidine Kinase/Response Regulator Systems
Project description:
LytS/LytTR-type histidine kinase/response regulator systems are prevalent in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. These systems play a crucial role during infection of human and animal hosts by preventing premature cellular lysis and enhancing survival during antibiosis.
This project focuses on the YpdA/YpdB-system and aims to answer the following questions:
What is the nature of the ligand recognized by the membrane-integrated LytS?
What is the function of the target gene encoding a transporter?
We will employ a combination of multi-omics approaches (transcriptomics, metabolomics), biomolecular interaction studies (including protein purification, isothermal titration calorimetry, surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy), and microbial assays (persisters, VBNCs). Our goal is to identify new targets for the treatment of chronic and recurrent bacterial infections.
Qualifications:
Required qualifications include experience with microbiological techniques, such as constructing mutants and reporter strains, as well as molecular and biochemical techniques, such as purification and characterization of RNA and proteins.
References:
Schumacher, K., Gelhausen, R., Backofen, R., Kion-Crosby, W., Barquist, L., Jung, K. (2023) Ribosome profiling reveals the fine-tuned response of Escherichia coli to acid stress. mSystems, Nov 1:e0103723. doi: 10.1128/msystems.01037-23
Qiu, J., Gasperotti, A., Sisattana, N., Zacharias, M., Jung, K. (2023) The LytS-type histidine kinase BtsS is a 7-transmembrane receptor that binds pyruvate. mBio, Sep 1:e0108923. doi: 10.1128/mbio.01089-23.
For further information, please contact: Prof. Dr. Kirsten Jung: jung@lmu.de
Research group website: here
Apply: Please submit your application via the online portal of the Graduate School Life Science Munich (LSM).