Research Associate in Microbial Biochemistry/Biophysics

Department

A position funded by the BBSRC is available for an enthusiastic, independent and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on the project ‘Probing the mechanisms that couple genome segregation to chromosome organization in Archaea’ in the laboratories of Professor Daniela Barillà (Department of Biology) and Dr Jamie Blaza (York Structural Biology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry) at the University of York. The Barillà laboratory investigates mechanism of genome segregation in archaea and bacteria by using interdisciplinary approaches that cross single domain boundaries. The Department of Biology is supported by a state-of-the-art Technology Facility.

Role

Chromosome segregation is a fundamental biological process in all life forms. The mechanisms mediating this cell-cycle event in eukaryotes and bacteria are well characterized, but remain a black box in the archaea domain, representing a knowledge gap.

We have shown that certainthermophilic archaea harbour a hybrid machine consisting of two interacting proteins, SegA and SegB, that play a key role in chromosome segregation [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2012, 109: 3754-3759]. This study described the initial characterization of the first chromosome segregation system in archaea. SegA is an orthologue of bacterial Walker-type ParA proteins, whereas SegB is an archaea-specific factor that binds to palindromic DNA motifs. Thanks to a collaborative effort, we have recently solved the structures of SegA, SegB and respective DNA complexes [Nucleic Acids Res 2021, 49: 13150-13164]. Our findings indicate that the SegAB complex fulfils a crucial function in chromosome segregation and is the prototype of genome partition system that are widespread among archaea.

The overarching aim of this project is to establish the mechanisms through which the SegAB complex mediates genome segregation and to decipher how this process is coupled to chromosome organization. The cross-disciplinary approaches to solve this question involve powerful molecular biology/biochemistry/biophysical investigations. The methodology entails cutting-edge techniques that range from cryo-EM for structural solution of SegAB complexes to mass spectrometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

This project will be conducted in collaboration with Dr Tung Le group (John Innes Centre, Norwich), where a postdoctoral research associate funded by the same grant will map chromosome organization by using genomic methods.

Skills, Experience & Qualification needed

You will conduct high quality research, design and troubleshoot experiments, interpret data, contribute to the preparation of manuscripts for publication, and participate in the supervision/training of junior members of the research team. Creativity and innovative approaches in experimental design are essential. You will be expected to produce periodic reports that describe your results.

You should have a PhD in Biochemistry/Microbial Biochemistry/Biophysics. You should have extensive and proven experience of protein purification/characterisation and DNA-protein interactions. You will have a strong background in microbial biochemistry/biophysics. Experience of AFM, Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and cryo-EM is desirable. You will have opportunities for mentorship and for participating in public engagement/outreach activities.

The starting salary will be £34,308 per annum. This post is full-time and available from 1 May 2023 for three years.

Closing date: 6 March 2023

Interview date: To be confirmed

For informal enquiries: please contact Prof. Daniela Barillà (daniela.barilla@york.ac.uk).

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We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented at the University.

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