|
Dear Colleagues: Please ignore if this e.mail is a repeat reception – and apologies then in advance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is to bring to your attention an opening for a PhD student position as described below.
A fully Funded Ph.D. position at the School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland and AgResearch, New Zealand
The bacteria derived anti-feeding prophage (Afp) is a unique DNA-free, phage-like entity likened to a cell free type 6 secretion system. It is pathogenic to a biological pest, the New Zealand
pasture (grass grub) by transporting and delivering a protein toxin to the grass grub larvae. In order to assess the mechanism of Afp assembly and target cell interaction, we are seeking well-qualified and highly motivated candidates for doctoral student
positions. Using structural, molecular and cell biology, the projects seeks to determine and demonstrate the mechanism of Afp cell targeting and toxin delivery to the insect grass grub host.
The student will be determining 3-D structures that are specifically of cell targeting regions of Afp and that of the Afp toxin. The student will have an interest and prior training
in cryo electron microscopy and/or X ray crystallography. Students with experience in molecular
cloning, protein _expression_, purification will be preferred.
The PhD position will be in collaborative dialogue allowing a cross fertilization of projects with
Dr Mark Hurst AgResearch Lincoln and Dr
Alok K. Mitra, University of Auckland. Fees and a three-year stipend will be provided as part of the New
Zealand MBIE endeavour fund contract – “Insect active nano machines”.
For further information, please send a current CV containing 3 referee names and contact to Dr. Alok K. Mitra, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Tel: +64 09 923 8162, E-mail: a.mitra@auckland.ac.nz, and
Dr Mark Hurst Forage Science AgReserach Lincoln, New Zealand Tel +64 03 3259919, E-mail: mark.hurst@agresearch.co.nz.
Hurst MRH, Beattie A, Jones SA, Laugraud A, van Koten C, Harper L. (2018) Serratia proteamaculansstrain AGR96X encodes an antifeeding prophage
(Tailocin) with activity against grass grub (Costelytra giveni) and manuka beetle (Pyronota species) larvae. Appl Environ Microbiol. 84(10). pii: e02739-17. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02739-17
Rybakova D Radjainia M, Turner A, Sen A, Mitra AK and Hurst MRH. (2013) Role of antifeeding
prophage (Afp) protein Afp16 in terminating the length of the Afp tailocin and stabilizing its sheath. Mol Micro. 89:702–714.
Rybakova D, Schramm P, Mitra AK, Hurst MR. (2015) Afp14 is involved in regulating the length of Anti-feeding
prophage (Afp). Mol Microbiol. 96: 815-26.
Heymann JB, Bartho JD, Rybakova D, Venugopal HP, Winkler DC, Sen A, Hurst MR, Mitra AK (2013) 3-dimensional
structure of the toxin-delivery particle antifeeding prophage of Serratia entomophila. J Biol Chem. 288: 25276-84
Hurst MRH, Beard SS, Jackson TA, Jones SM. (2007) Isolation and characterisation of the Serratia entomophila antifeeding prophage. FEMS Microbiol
Letts 270:42.
Thank you for your attention
Kind regards
Dr. Alok K. Mitra
To unsubscribe from the CCP4BB list, click the following link: |