Mar 7, 2007

Research Studentship, The biological function of cas-CRISPR, a new gene cluster identified in archaea and bac

Applications are invited from students with a degree in biochemistry or genetics (or a closely related discipline) for a four-year BBSRC-funded studentship entitled ”The biological function of cas-CRISPR, a new gene cluster identified in archaea and bacteria”. The explosion of completed microbial genome sequences has identified several new gene clusters. One of these, cas-CRISPR, is highly conserved in genomic context and encodes orthologous protein sequences throughout many microbial species, including pathogens. This PhD project will combine microbial genetics and biochemical analysis on core cas-genes from the cas-CRISPR cluster.

We aim to advance knowledge of (a) the biochemical function of a proposed helicase/translocase protein, and (b) the phenotypic effects of manipulating this and other cas genes in E. coli. The project will focus on testing the hypothesis of cas-CRISPR as a microbial DNA processing system that defends cells against infection by virus and other promiscuous genetic elements. The student will be encouraged to use a wide variety of genetic and biochemical methods, to develop their own lines of investigation, and will benefit from productive collaborations with several other groups studying genome stability. There will be opportunities to travel overseas for conferences and to visit collaborators’ laboratories.

The project will be supervised by Dr Ed Bolt, see: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/genetics/bolt.

The successful student will be registered for a PhD in the School of Biomedical Sciences and will be affiliated with the Institute of Genetics.

This studentship is available for a period of four years and provides a postgraduate stipend of £12,600 per annum.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Bolt, Email: Ed.Bolt@Nottingham.ac.uk.

Applications, with a detailed CV, the names and addresses of three referees, and a short description of your interests in genome stability and dynamics, should be sent to Dr E L Bolt, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH.

Reference : MED129
Closing Date : Monday 26 March 2007

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