PhD Studentship in Microbiology, Department of Microbial Physiology

University of Groningen,Netherlands

4-year PhD studentship on “Exploring the secret metabolism of an antibiotic factory”

This project will be a unique collaboration between the Microbial Physiology department and the Groningen Bioinformatics Centre using a newly acquired state-of art ultra-high resolution LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer in the Medical Biomics Facility to determine the metabolome of Streptomyces coelicolor.

Project objectives

1. Comprehensively explore the cellular and secreted metabolome of Streptomyces species to identify novel antibiotic biosynthesis pathways, using ultrahigh resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry
2. Understand the fundamental changes of the metabolome during the switch from primary to secondary metabolism, i.e. when antibiotics are produced, in S.coelicolor, our model organism.

Requirements
Candidates should have training in biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology. Experience in bioinformatics, and handling Streptomyces, would be a plus.

Environment
The University of Groningen is one of the largest and oldest research universities of the Netherlands. Its Microbial Physiology department is one of the leading institutes of Microbiology in Europe. It is part of the Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute (GBB), which houses 13 different research groups and provides access to state-of-the-art research facilities to more than 100 PhD students and 30 faculty members.

Research in the Microbial Physiology group focuses on structure/function relationships of enzymes acting on carbohydrates, and differentiation, regulation and metabolic engineering of
antibiotic production in Streptomyces. The Bioinformatics Centre is a major player in the development of modern Systems Biology approaches.

Relevant publications:

• Breitling et al. (2006) Trends Biotechnol. 24 (12):543–8.
• Breitling et al. (2006): Metabolomics 2: 155–64.
• Hsiao et al. (2007) Microbiology 153:1394–404.
• Takano (2006) Curr Opin Microbiol. 9:287–94.

For further information and direct applications please contact:

Dr Eriko Takano
Microbial Physiology
University of Groningen
Kerklaan 30
9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands
Phone +31-(0)50-3632143
Fax +31-(0)50-3632154
Email e.takano[ at ]rug.nl

Dr Rainer Breitling
Groningen Bioinformatics Centre
University of Groningen
Kerklaan 30
9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands
Phone +31 (0)50-363-8088
Fax +31 (0)50-363-7976
Email r.breitling[ at ]rug.nl

Closing date: November 2007

Via: Official Website