PhD cohort: CSSB-tagin
Four PhD Positions in Molecular/Cellular/Structural Infection Biology at the Centre for Structural Systems Biology – Hamburg – CSSB Teams against infections (CSSB-tagin) PhD cohort
A cohort of four PhD students will be recruited for collaborative projects between (at least) two CSSB group leaders or associated members as thesis advisors. A unified mentoring structure and balanced educational programme – for example combining offerings of our partner institutions – will provide each student with a unique CSSB experience. CSSB-tagin students will be supported over the phase of three years for innovative projects in the area of molecular infection biology. PhD projects exceed method development approaches to explore gaps in biological frontiers and address scientific challenges and key questions.
Project 1: Molecular rules of engagement in the biofilm matrix of pathogenic bacteria
- Key technologies and approaches: 1) CryoEM, 2) CryoET, 3) Microbiology, 4) Protein purification and characterization
- Involved PIs: Prof. Dr. Holger Sondermann, Prof. Dr. Kay Grünewald
Project 2: Host-Directed Therapies: Pioneering Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) in the Fight Against Mycobacteria
- Key technologies and approaches: 1) Cellular modelling of mycobacterial infections, 2) Enhancing antibiotic susceptibility with AMPs, 3) Advanced microscopy (live imaging, correlative approaches, atomic force microscopy), 4) Biochemical lipid analysis, 5) Peptide synthesis and protein purification
- Involved PIs: Prof. Dr. Caroline Barisch, Prof. Dr. Thomas Gutsmann, Prof. Dr. Chris Meier
Project 3: Structural and Functional Characterization of Viral Amyloids: Deciphering the Infection-Neurodegeneration Link.
- Key technologies and approaches: 1) Cryo-EM, 2) Computational structural biology, 3) Correlative light and electron microscopy, 4) Protein production, 5) Biophysics
- Involved PIs: Prof. Dr. Meytal Landau, Prof. Dr. Jens Bosse, Dr. Michael Hons, Dr. Enrico Caragliano
Project 4: Elucidating the roles of protein complexes in endo- and exocytotic processes in Plasmodium falciparum
- Key technologies and approaches: 1) Sequence analysis and comparative genomics , 2) AI-based structure prediction and integrative modeling, 3) Interactome studies (BioID and co-immunoprecipitation with mass spectrometry), 4) CRISPR/Cas9 for genetic manipulation, 5) Cryo-EM
- Involved PIs: Prof. Dr. Tim Gilberger, Prof. Dr. Maya Topf