Adaptation and Versatility of the Type Six Secretion System

I am looking for an enthusiastic MSc or PhD student to join my group at the University of Manitoba (https://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~prehnag/).

Our lab studies how bacteria communicate with their hosts, how they communicate with each other, and how they communicate with other micro-organisms. Currently, our lab studies the molecular mechanisms of protein secretion and inter-bacterial communication in pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella (food poisoning, typhoid fever) and Streptococcus (strep. Throat, flesh eating disease). We use a diverse range of biochemical and biophysical techniques, including X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy, to determine the function of the bacterial proteins that form secretion systems, serve as toxins, and operate as receptors for signaling events.

This NSERC supported graduate student position is aimed at understanding the adaptation and versatility of Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) at the molecular level. T6SS are versatile and dynamic nanomachines that Gram-negative bacteria have adapted for numerous different biological functions, which is used to forcibly inject effectors into both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

My lab is interested in understanding how the T6SS is adapted at the molecular level for its various functions and hosts using Salmonella as a model system. A MSc or PhD student will research the role of one or more accessory proteins that modulate the function of the Salmonella T6SS starting from a structural and biochemical perspective.

Applicants should possess a Bachelor’s degree in the life sciences, or a related discipline and be interested in both biochemistry and microbiology. Masters level applicants with experience in molecular biology as well as protein expression and purification will be preferred. Training in x-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy will be provided. All projects have the potential for training in cryo-EM. English language skills, the ability to work in a team, willingness to learn, and good organizational skills are required.

Applicants should send a CV, a one-page summary of their research experience and contact details for two referees till August 2nd 2019 to [Email Address Removed]. The starting date is winter 2019 or spring 2020.

The University of Manitoba (http://umanitoba.ca/) is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is Western Canada’s first University. The University has large core-group of structural biology and biochemical researchers between the departments of Microbiology and Chemistry (The Manitoba Group in Protein Structure and Function), access to the Canadian Light Source synchrotron, and comprehensive molecular biophysics instrumentation (500 and 600 MHz NMR, in-house XRD, ITC, CD, DSC, nanoDSF, AUC, and MST). Winnipeg is also home to the National Microbiology Laboratory, a leader in infectious disease research and collaborator with the Department of Microbiology.