An opening is now available for a PhD position in Grenoble, France, between the Institut de Biologie Structrale (IBS) and the Institut Laue Langevin (ILL).
The selected candidate will perform modelling and cryo-EM on a challenging biological target (see detailed project below) in the MICA group at IBS, as well as undergo neutron scattering experiments at the ILL.
The candidates are expected to have a solid background in structural biology. Previous experience in cryo-EM and/or neutron scattering would be a plus, but not required.
Please send a CV, a motivation letter and the contact details of at least two referees to the two co-supervisors of this position :
Ambroise Desfosses (IBS) : ambroise.desfosses@ibs.fr
Judith Peters (ILL) : jpeters@ill.fr
The position has to start before end of March, applications will be accepted until mid-February.
Project description : The natural nanoparticle "low density lipoprotein" (LDL) is responsible for the transport of cholesterol in the blood. Dysfunction of this functionality can lead to serious diseases. It contains a unique protein, apoB-100, which has a molar mass of 500 kDa. While the whole particle and its protein have been studied for a long time, it has still not been possible to determine their structures at the atomic level.
To obtain new models of LDL and apo B-100 with an unprecedented level of detail we will pursue two individual paths that will converge: LDL will be investigated, and independently its sole protein moiety apo B-100 in a lipid-free detergent-stabilized form. To access their structures we will combine state-of-the-art cryo-EM techniques, SAXS, and neutron scattering methods. All methods will be applied not only on LDL and/or its subfractions, but also on triglyceride-rich and oxidized LDL to mimic pathologic conditions as found in hyperlipidaemia or in atherosclerotic plaques.
