2 PhD students in Molecular Plant Biology

The projects emerged from a collaboration between the Plant Physiology and Population Biology research groups of resp. the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences and the Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics.

PhD student 1 is funded by TTI GREEN GENETICS and ALW/NWO and is entitled: “Novel tomatoes that counteract herbivore-mediated suppression of plant defences” (vacancy number 09-1013).

When plants are challenged with herbivores they establish defenses but many herbivores are adapted to resist these defenses. Recently we showed that some herbivores, such as mites, can suppress plant defenses, i.e. they are ‘stealthy’, although this ability varies between individuals within populations. To help tomato plants in coping with defense-repressing pests we will genetically modify tomatoes such that inducible defenses are restored. We will use high-throughput sequencing and qRT-PCR to identify tomato genes targeted by stealthy mites, focusing on regulatory genes involved in production of volatile metabolites and trichome toxins. New tomato lines invulnerable for stealthy-mite manipulations will be tested for resistance under greenhouse conditions. A post-doc researcher will start simultaneously on a parallel research line funded within the same project.

PhD student 2 is funded by ALW/NWO and is entitled: “The role of E-2-hexenal and GABA in plant stress responses” (vacancy number 09-1014).

Plants are continuously exposed to various forms of (a)biotic stress and have developed an extensive repertoire of responses to cope with it. One of the first reactions is the oxidation of fatty acids in the plasma membrane from which several products can arise such as reactive electrophile species (RES). Evidence is accumulating that plants actively generate RES as signaling molecules. We will focus on the volatile RES E-2-hexenal which is, for example, generated by herbivory, wounding and heat. Earlier research has shown that E-2-hexenal increases g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and this prompted us to ask the question how these two molecules help the plant in dealing with stress. We will use genetic tools to manipulate E-2-hexenal and GABA levels in the model plant Arabidopsis and use various read-outs to determine this. For this research a variety of techniques will be used, including (transient) transgenesis, LC/MS analyses and disease bioassays.
Requirements

Candidates must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Molecular Biology or Biochemistry, have good communication skills, be able to work in a team and be highly motivated to conduct fundamental scientific research.

Appointment:
The appointment is full-time (38 hours a week) for a total of four years: an initial period of eighteen months, followed by a further two and a half years subject to a positive appraisal. It is expected to result in a PhD thesis. The gross monthly salary is fixed in accordance with the Dutch University regulations for academic personnel and ranges from € 2.042 in the first year to a maximum of € 2.612 in the fourth year.

Job application:
Applications should include a letter of motivation, a curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three referees. Please indicate the position to which you are applying and quote the corresponding vacancy number in the subject line. Applications may be emailed to application-science@uva.nl, attn.: K. Tensen, Personnel Department, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam. Closing date: 14 March 2009

-
About the University of Amsterdam:
The Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) is a university with an internationally acclaimed profile, located at the heart of the Dutch capital. As well as a world centre for business and research, Amsterdam is a hub of cultural and media activities. The Universiteit van Amsterdam is a member of the League of European Research Universities.

The Faculty of Science at the UvA is one of Europe’s foremost institutions of higher education and research in its chosen fields of specialization. It plays an active role in international science networks and collaborates with universities and industry. The Faculty has approximately 2,000 students and 1,500 staff members spread over four departments and ten research institutes. Each institute has its own research programme, a substantial part of which is externally funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), the Dutch government, the EU and various private enterprises.

In 2010, the Faculty will relocate to the Science Park Amsterdam. Ambitious building projects are paving the way for this relocation. The move will make the Park one of the largest centres of academic research in the Netherlands.

more..
Post Doctoral Research Associate at The University of Manchester.
An enthusiastic and highly motivated yeast molecular biologist is required to conduct a proof-of-principle investigation of a new method for oral delivery of therapeutic agents based on the use of specifically engineered yeast strains. You will generate genetically modified strains of yeast and test their ability to lyse in specific areas of the human gut. Using such yeast strains as delivery vehicles protects recombinant proteins and other drug therapy agents through the initial stages of digestion and releases them in the intestine where uptake is optimal. The results of this investigation will form the basis of future commercialisation of the technology.