If you want to do your PhD in Microbiology, we are looking for a candidate.
This PhD forms part of the European Marie Curie Program TRAIN-ASAP: Training and Research Aimed at Novel Antibacterial Solutions in Animals and People.
This is a great opportunity for young motivated Students that are finishing their Master's degree or equivalent in a Life Sciences discipline.
14 different PhDs will start in different EU countries at the same time and training will be international.
The most important requisite is to be motivated, to like what we do and to integrate well in an international atmosphere.
We’re a young international group based in Madrid, part of the work will be performed in Odense, Denmark.
This PhD forms part of the European Marie Curie Program TRAIN-ASAP: Training and Research Aimed at Novel Antibacterial Solutions in Animals and People.
This is a great opportunity for young motivated Students that are finishing their Master's degree or equivalent in a Life Sciences discipline.
14 different PhDs will start in different EU countries at the same time and training will be international.
The most important requisite is to be motivated, to like what we do and to integrate well in an international atmosphere.
We’re a young international group based in Madrid, part of the work will be performed in Odense, Denmark.
Description
Blocking 16S RNA methyltransferases
Main supervisor: B. Gonzalez-Zorn (UCM)
ESR 8 Committee: S. Douthwaite (USD),
M. de Grado
Background: Recently, a new family of plasmid-mediated aminoglycoside resistance determinants, the 16S rRNA methyltransferases, has emerged in Gram-negative bacteria. These enzymes hinder binding of the drug to the target on 16S rRNA by methylation. In this project, “helper drugs” blocking binding of the 16S rRNA methyltransferase to the ribosome and/or inhibiting methyltransferase activity will be designed to enable development of new aminoglycoside formulations active against this emerging resistance mechanism.
S&T plan: During year 1, the ESR will learn how to decipher the location of the 16S rRNA nucleotide methylation for rmtA and rmtD using a combination of techniques involving Matrix Assisted Laser Desorpion/Ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and primer extension by reverse transcription. During year 2, all methyltransferase enzymes will be modelled to identify amino acids that are critical for the enzyme function in recognizing its target nucleotide on the rRNA. Putative critical amino acids will be substituted by site-directed mutagenesis to create mutant enzymes that will be assessed for their ability to bind and methylate the target nucleotide. In year 3, the ESR will be trained at USD to use synthetic nucleic acid oligonucleotide composed of PNA or LNA (locked nucleic acid) as probes targeting the ribo- some nucleotides. These synthetic nucleic acids offer high target specificity as well as higher intracellular stability compared to non-derivatized RNA and DNA. The possible use of antibodies that specifically bind to the target methyltransferases will be explored through collaboration with MICRO.
To apply for this PhD position, please send an updated resume and a cover letter by email to Train-Asap@vet.ucm.es Offer is valid till July 15 2012.
Main supervisor: B. Gonzalez-Zorn (UCM)
ESR 8 Committee: S. Douthwaite (USD),
M. de Grado
Background: Recently, a new family of plasmid-mediated aminoglycoside resistance determinants, the 16S rRNA methyltransferases, has emerged in Gram-negative bacteria. These enzymes hinder binding of the drug to the target on 16S rRNA by methylation. In this project, “helper drugs” blocking binding of the 16S rRNA methyltransferase to the ribosome and/or inhibiting methyltransferase activity will be designed to enable development of new aminoglycoside formulations active against this emerging resistance mechanism.
S&T plan: During year 1, the ESR will learn how to decipher the location of the 16S rRNA nucleotide methylation for rmtA and rmtD using a combination of techniques involving Matrix Assisted Laser Desorpion/Ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and primer extension by reverse transcription. During year 2, all methyltransferase enzymes will be modelled to identify amino acids that are critical for the enzyme function in recognizing its target nucleotide on the rRNA. Putative critical amino acids will be substituted by site-directed mutagenesis to create mutant enzymes that will be assessed for their ability to bind and methylate the target nucleotide. In year 3, the ESR will be trained at USD to use synthetic nucleic acid oligonucleotide composed of PNA or LNA (locked nucleic acid) as probes targeting the ribo- some nucleotides. These synthetic nucleic acids offer high target specificity as well as higher intracellular stability compared to non-derivatized RNA and DNA. The possible use of antibodies that specifically bind to the target methyltransferases will be explored through collaboration with MICRO.
To apply for this PhD position, please send an updated resume and a cover letter by email to Train-Asap@vet.ucm.es Offer is valid till July 15 2012.
Nr of positions available : 1
