Single-molecule studies on mechanical regulation of DNA repair enzymes

Project: Ionizing radiation, oxygen reactive species, deamination and spontaneous hydrolysis among other factors originate chemical damage of the nucleobases of the DNA. Swift and efficient repair of these chemical lesions in DNA is essential for a correct cellular function. Among them, the abasic site (AP) is the most frequent DNA damage, and the AP endonucleases are key enzymes in the repair route in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. In this project, using single-molecule fluorescence techniques and our recently developed DNA-origami force clamp1, we aim to characterize the force-mediated regulation of the activity of these DNA-repair enzymes.

Requirements: A background in biochemistry is required and the candidate should be willing to learn single-molecule fluorescence techniques and DNA nanotechnology methods (DNA origami). Interest in biophysics will be positively valued. The prospective candidate should like to work in an interdisciplinary environment with chemists, physicists and biochemists.

Position/Salary: TVL E13 75%

Group: Prof. Philip Tinnefeld, Department of Chemistry, LMU Munich