Project 1: Understanding the mechanics of biomolecular condensates and their regulators

We are looking for a master student with a strong biophysics background, who is self motivated and not afraid to perform experiments in a biological setting. The lab has previously shown that MEC-2, a protein critical for the sense of touch in C elegans, forms biomolecular condensates and undergoes a change in rigidity during the maturation from a liquid like to a solid like condensate (accepted in Nature Cell Biology). The successful candidate will apply our optical tweezer setup to measure the mechanics of biomolecular condensates applying a new method developed in the lab (MS in preparation). The goal is to understand how aging affects the structure and mechanics of liquid-like protein droplets. As the liquid solid transition is often involved in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, we are specifically interested in molecules that modify the mechanical properties of the protein droplets. As a part of thr project, the candidate will learn protein biochemistry, rheology and data processing. A solid background in optical tweezers is advantagous but not a strict requirement.