[3DEM] Postdoc position in Oxford, UK.

[Ariel Blocker]

University of Oxford
Division of Medical Sciences
Sir William Dunn School of Pathology

Post-doctoral research scientist in structural 
biology/ biochemistry/ microbial pathogenesis
Salary £19,460 - £29,128 p.a.

Applications are invited for the above post, 
funded for 3 years (to start end 2005/ early 
2006) by a grant from the UK Medical Research 
Council, and based at Sir William Dunn School of 
Pathology, Oxford.

Gram-negative bacteria commonly use type III 
secretion systems (TTSSs or secretons) to inject 
proteins directly into the host cell during 
infection. How secretons are activated only upon 
physical contact with host cells is not 
understood. The following papers (Blocker et al, 
2001, JCB; Blocker et al., 2001, Mol Micro; 
Cordes et al., 2003, JBC; Blocker et al., 2003, 
PNAS) describe the path to our present scientific 
questions. We have recently identified needle 
mutants, which alter the activity of the 
secreton. Yet, we find no evidence that the 
helical structure of these mutant needles is 
altered (Kenjale et al. JBC in press and Cordes 
et al., JMB in press). This indicates that the 
needle is a direct part of host cell sensing 
mechanism but we do not yet understand exactly 
how it works. Therefore, we now wish to apply 
biochemical, genetic and EM techniques to study 
how the needle components interact with the basal 
body of the apparatus to see if we can determine 
a path for transmission of the activation signal. 
Our work will be aided by access to microscope 
facilities internally and within at the Wellcome 
Trust for Human Genetics in Oxford, efforts from 
Dr. Susan Lea's laboratory (moving into the Dunn 
School in early 2006) to solve atomic structures 
of needle and basal body components and our 
sharing of their computer facilities to analyse 
our EM data.

Candidates must have past experience (at the 
graduate or postdoctoral level) with image 
analysis of negative stain and cryoEM micrographs 
(helical analysis and/or single particle work). 
Past experience or an interest in purification of 
large protein complexes and molecular biology 
would be useful, but is not essential.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr. Ariel 
Blocker email: ariel.blocker at path.ox.ac.uk, 
Webpage: http://users.path.ox.ac.uk/~ablocker/.

Applications, together with a C.V. detailing 
previous employment, and the names and addresses 
of three referees, should be sent to the 
Administrator, Sir William Dunn School of 
Pathology, South Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK 
(FAX: +44-1865-275-515, email: 
administration at path.ox.ac.uk, by 25 November 
2005. Please quote reference AB/05/033.

-- 
Ariel J. Blocker, Ph.D.
Guy G.F. Newton Senior Research Fellow
Sir William Dunn School of Pathology
South Parks Rd.
Oxford OX1 3RE
United Kingdom
Tel lab: +44-1865-285-748
Tel office: +44-1865-275-541
FAX:+44-1865-275-515
Webpage: http://users.path.ox.ac.uk/~ablocker/
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