Project 1: Deciphering molecular interactions during mechanotransduction using Proximity Ligation
The NSMB lab is an interdisciplinary playground deeply rooted in scientific rigor and focuses on advancing fundamental knowledge on how the mind emerges from the behavior of individual molecules, neurons and brain networks. We primarily work in Caenorhabditis elegans but also zebrafish, fruit flies and tissue culture models. For this project, we are looking for a master student with a background in molecular biology and biochemistry. The goal of the thesis is to establish cutting edge proximity ligation methods in Caenorhabditis elegans to understand how ageing influences cytoskeleton interactions. We are specifically interested in the spectrin cytoskeleton and how animal age changes its integrity. During this project, the student will work with a post-doctoral scholar and generate a single copy integration of the TurbiID biotin ligase directly at the endogenous, genomic locus of the host protein using CRISPR/Cas9. After successfull screening of the candidates, the student will follow published protocols for proximity ligation and isolate the biotinylated target proteins using tandem affinity purification for subsequent mass spectrometry analysis. We expect to compare the interactome of the host protein at different adult stages of the animal.
Your background should be in molecular biology and biochemistry with a prior experience in recombinant DNA technology (molecular cloning, PCR, gel electrophoresis) and protein biotechnology (western blotting). Experience with C elegans is not a must, but will be given priority.
Importantly, the thesis is open ended and is expected to provide ample material for follow-up studies, including the PhD thesis to characterize the most promising candidates from this screen. In addition, the NMSB lab and ICFO in general provide a lively, interdisciplinary environment for student interested in looking beyond the current state of the art and learn cutting edge microscopy and mechanobiology tools.
Relevant publications:
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0021-9258(21)00897-8