University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, ViennaCentre for Nanobiotechnology

Universität für Bodenkultur Wien

Zentrum für Nanobiotechnologie

NanoGlykobiologie-Gruppe

PhD Position for the …Biochemical and Molecular Analysis of the Cell Wall Glyco(prote)omeof Lactobacillus buchneri

Short summary of project

Lactobacillus buchneri strain CD034 possesses a complex cell wall architecture. The main focus of the work lies particularly on the cha-racterization of the glycosylated cell wall constituents of this organism, such as the two-dimensionally crystallizing S-layer glycoprotein, a puta-tive secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP) involved in S‑layer anchoring, and the identification of a predicted exopolysaccharide (EPS) which is known from other lactic acid bacteria. In this context it should be ment-ioned that between S‑layer carrying and S‑layer deficient bacteria strain-specific differences may exist regarding architecture, composit-ion and function of specific cell wall constituents.

The presence of an S-layer glycoprotein on this GRAS organism, which makes it an interesting candidate for possible future glycan-related medical and/or biotechnological applications.

Requirements

The candidate must hold a MSc degree and should have a sound background in molecular biology, micro-biology, biochemistry. Practical experience in the field of glycobiology is of advantage but not mandatory. The highly motivated candidate should be an excellent team player with the ability to work independently in an interdisciplinary environment.

Research goals

Bioinformatic analysis of the genome of L. buchneri CD034 for loci harboring genes involved in the biosynthesis of glycosylated cell wall components of L. buchneri CD034 (in collaboration with Prof. R. Grabherr, IAM, BOKU).

We offer

Motivating scientific environment at the Vienna Institute of Biotechnology, cutting edge research in nanoglycobiology, weekly seminars, participation in workshops and international conferences. Stays in partner laboratories abroad are possible.Funding opportunity according to the guidelines of FWF (http://www.fwf.ac.at/de/projects/einzelprojekte.html).Possibility of embedding the PhD thesis into the International PhD Programme BioToP (http://biotop.boku.ac.at/).

Applicants

Please e-mail your application with motivation, full CV and references along with contact addresses to:Ao.Univ. Prof. Dr. Paul MESSNERDepartment für NanoBiotechnologie, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Wiene-mail: paul.messner@boku.ac.at; Phone: 47654-2202

Time schedule: Start: February-April 2012; Duration: 3 years

Dept. of NanoBiotechnologyNanoGlycobiology Group

Schematic presentation of the cell wall of Lactobacillus strains with focus on glyco-sylated components

Expression and purification of selected cell wall components from L. buchneri CD034. Structural and functional characterization of glycosylated cell wall components of L. buchneri CD034

(in collaboration with Prof. P. Kosma and Prof. F. Altmann, Chemie, BOKU).