Structure-function studies of bacterial retrons
Eva Nogales, Professor
Molecular and Cell Biology
Open. Apprentices needed for the fall semester. Enter your application online beginning August 21st. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 31st, 4pm.
Retrons are bacterial immune systems that help protect cells from viral infection. Many retrons remain poorly characterized, particularly those found in clinically important bacteria. This project will investigate a newly identified retron system from an ESKAPE pathogen using biochemical and structural approaches. The long-term goal is to understand how these systems function and assess whether retron systems could provide new opportunities for antimicrobial development.
Role: Design and clone constructs for retron component expression
Express and purify retron protein and nucleoprotein complexes
Perform biochemical assays to characterize retron activity
Prepare samples for negative-stain electron microscopy and cryo-EM
Assist with cryo-EM data collection, processing, and structural analysis
Qualifications: We are seeking motivated, curious students who are enthusiastic about research and unafraid to ask questions. No specific technical background is required, although an interest in biochemistry, microbiology, or structural biology is helpful. The most important qualities are reliability, a willingness to learn, and enthusiasm for hands-on scientific discovery. Ideally, the student will commit at least six months to the project, with the possibility of extension.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Grace Hibshman, Post-Doc
Hours: 12 or more hours
Related website: http://cryoem.berkeley.edu
Biological & Health Sciences