Career - Offer

PhD Student / Postdoc Position

Type of job: full-time

Molecular Motor Mediated Force Coupling between Microtubules and Actin Filaments

Microtubules and actin filaments interdependently constitute the intracellular filament scaffold termed the cytoskeleton. Current studies, however, often treat protein interactions with microtubules and actin filaments separately, as if belonging to isolated systems. Aim of this project is to reconcile the systems by reconstituting force coupling between the actin filaments and microtubules. Molecular motor mediated coupling between the two types of filaments is particularly interesting because forces are not just translated but instead directly generated in between the filaments. For example, unconventional myosins Myo10 and Myo1C directly bind to microtubules, while simultaneously exerting force on actin filaments. Likewise, the kinesin-3 Kif14 directly interacts with actin filaments, while exerting force on microtubules.

Project:

The project will be focused on the reconstitution and quantitative characterization of the force coupling between
microtubules and actin filaments mediated by molecular motors of myosin and kinesin families. The individual molecular motors will be expressed as recombinant proteins, combined with cytoskeletal filaments in vitro and the emergent system will be investigated using advanced biophysical experimental techniques such as single molecule fluorescence microscopy and force spectroscopy.

Candidate's profile: Eligible candidates should have MSc / PhD degree in (bio)physics, biology, chemistry or equivalent and should be interested in cross-disciplinary experimental work.

Contact:
For more information please contact Zdeněk Lánský (email see below)