[3dem] Post-doc position available in IST Austria – cryo-EM structure determination of novel bioenergetic complexes
Leonid Sazanov
sazanov at ist.ac.at
Fri Dec 11 02:43:30 PST 2020
We are looking for a post-doc for a collaborative project between the
groups of Prof. Leonid Sazanov (IST Austria) and Prof. Michael
Wagner/Prof. Holger Daims (University of Vienna) to work on the
structures and functions of bioenergetic membrane protein complexes from
Nitrospira comammox bacteria. This is a rare chance to uncover “black
matter” of several novel large membrane protein complex families with
unique properties and unknown structure and mechanism. The recently
discovered and environmentally widespread comammox Nitrospira are able
to catalyse complete nitrification using a unique respiratory chain. In
2017 the Wagner/Daims groups obtained the only available pure culture of
a comammox organism (Nitrospira inopinata) and recently managed to scale
up biomass production of these recalcitrant microorganisms to a level
that now enables structural characterization of essential protein
complexes of these fascinating microbes.
The Sazanov group is interested in structure and function of large
membrane protein complexes from the domain of bioenergetics. We have
determined the first structures of respiratory complex I, V/A-type
ATPase, transhydrogenase, and MRP antiporters. Prof. Wagner and Prof.
Daims are members of the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental
Systems Science and their research groups are interested in the biology
of nitrifying microorganisms. They have made substantial contributions
to better understand the diversity, genomic potential, physiology, and
biochemistry of these microbes that play essential roles in the
biogeochemical nitrogen cycle of our planet.
Based on already available biomass, the project will involve
purification of complexes (partially established in the lab), followed
by cryo-EM structure determination and detailed functional
characterisation. The candidate must have a PhD in
biochemistry/structural biology with demonstrated (by publications)
experience in cryo-EM structure determination. Experience in membrane
protein purification or in bioenergetics would be advantageous but is
not essential.
IST Austria is a new multi-disciplinary institute focused on basic
research. It has recently been ranked 3rd in the world in research
excellence according to Nature Index. Its EM facility includes Krios/K3
and Glacios/FIII TEMs. Infrastructure for protein purification and
cryo-EM data processing is state-of-the-art. IST is connected by shuttle
bus to Vienna, a top city for quality of life.
The Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science was
founded in 2019 at the University of Vienna and is a research hotspot
for microbiology. In total 15 research groups and about 130 scientists
from more than 25 countries are active at the Centre. The Centre has
unique facilities for the cultivation and functional characterization of
microbes including a NanoSIMS and a Raman microfluidics cell sorter.
The appointment will initially be for 2 years (on a Wittgenstein award
grant to Prof. Wagner), with a possibility to extend to 4 years.
Starting date is as soon as possible for a suitable candidate. The post
holder will be employed in IST Austria, where post-doc salary and
benefits are extremely competitive. All queries and applications with
CVs and names of 2-3 academic referees should be forwarded to Prof.
Leonid Sazanov. Email: sazanov at ist.ac.at. Homepage:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ist.ac.at/research/life-sciences/sazanov-group/__;!!Mih3wA!WPnMjxYvh1OWuNvepvAIXBmrgW9DIoh2szwszDuOqtz0vk9wlfYiZONoyZ_uihE13Q$
Additional queries may be directed to Prof. Wagner at
michael.wagner at univie.ac.at, Homepage: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://cmess.csb.univie.ac.at/__;!!Mih3wA!WPnMjxYvh1OWuNvepvAIXBmrgW9DIoh2szwszDuOqtz0vk9wlfYiZONoyZ94SyW5FA$
Recent papers from the Sazanov group on cryo-EM structures and function
of bioenergetic membrane proteins:
Kampjut, D. and Sazanov, L.A. (2020) The coupling mechanism of mammalian
respiratory complex I. Science, 370(6516):eabc4209.
Pinke G., Zhou L. and Sazanov L.A. (2020) Cryo-EM structure of the
entire mammalian F-type ATP synthase. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol.,
27(11):1077-1085.
Steiner J. and Sazanov L. (2020) Structure and mechanism of the Mrp
complex, an ancient cation/proton antiporter. Elife 9, e59407.
Kampjut, D. and Sazanov, L.A. (2019) Structure and mechanism of
mitochondrial proton-translocating transhydrogenase. Nature, 573, 291–295.
Zhou, L. and Sazanov, L.A. (2019) Structure and Conformational
Plasticity of the Intact Thermus thermophilus V/A-type ATPase. Science,
365, eaaw9144.
Fiedorczuk, K., …, and Sazanov L.A. (2016) Atomic structure of the
entire mammalian mitochondrial complex I. Nature, 538, 406-410.
Letts, J.A., Fiedorczuk, K., and Sazanov L.A. (2016) The architecture of
respiratory supercomplexes. Nature, 537, 644-648.
Selected papers from the Wagner/Daims groups on comammox microbes and
other nitrifiers:
Kits KD, …, Wagner M, Daims H. (2019). Low yield and abiotic origin of
N2O formed by the complete nitrifier Nitrospira inopinata. Nat
Communications, 1: 1836
Kits KD, …, Daims H, Wagner M. (2017). Kinetic analysis of a complete
nitrifier reveals an oligotrophic lifestyle. Nature, 549: 269-272
Daims H, …, Wagner M. (2015) Complete nitrification by Nitrospira
bacteria. Nature, 528: 504-509
Palatinszky M, …, Daims H, Wagner M. (2015) Cyanate as an energy source
for nitrifiers. Nature, 524: 105-108
Koch H, …, Wagner M, Daims H. (2014) Growth of nitrite-oxidizing
bacteria by aerobic hydrogen oxidation. Science, 345: 1052-1054
--
Prof. Leonid Sazanov FRS
IST Austria
Am Campus 1
A-3400 Klosterneuburg
Austria
Phone: +43 2243 9000 3026
E-mail: sazanov at ist.ac.at
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