La oficina de Relaciones Internacionales se permite informar que la Universidad de Mainz en Alemania está ofreciendo Beca para postgrado de Biología.
The Institute of Plant Physiology (group of Prof. Harald Paulsen) at the University of Mainz offers a Ph.D. position (BATIIa/2) for three years, as of January 16, 2006.
Scientific context:
Diatoms are photosynthetically active, unicellular organisms that protect themselves with a cell wall split into epi- and hypotheca.
These shells consist of an amorphous SiO2 polymer which is precipitated from silicic acid under the control of organic molecules such as polyamines and silaffins, one of many examples for the fascinating field of biomineralization.
Polymerization of Si(OH)4 takes place in the silica depositing vesicles and generates building blocks for the concomitant morphogenesis of species specific nano and microstructures.
PhD profile:
We would like to understand how the ability to precipitate SiO2 correlates with the primary structure of silaffines. The general assay will consist of a mixed strategy of molecular genetics, biochemistry and inorganic chemistry.
After the generation of random mutations in different silaffine fragments these mutants will be classified by phage display. Particularly interesting peptides will be
overexpressed and their performance in biomineralization analysed biochemically. Your profile: The successful candidate will be experienced in either biochemical or molecular-genetic techniques and highly motivated for interdisciplinary work between the fields of biology and chemistry.
Please send your application including CV etc. before November 4, 2005 to the following address:
Dr. Stephan Hobe
Johannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz
Institut fuer Allgemeine Botanik
Muellerweg 6
55128 Mainz
Germany
Para solicitar información adicional pueden contactar al Dr. Stephan Hobe en el correo electrónico: hobe@uni-mainz.de