[3DEM] Postdoc position in Oxford, UK.
Ariel Blocker
ariel.blocker at path.ox.ac.uk
Tue Oct 18 03:12:02 PDT 2005
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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