PhD position in the Sabina Caneva group at Delft:
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD student to work in the field of mechanobiology. The interdisciplinary project concerns the development of a nanoelectromechanical system that integrates surface acoustic wave (SAW) and nanopore technologies to mechanically manipulate biological molecules and materials in biomimetic membranes.
Sensing mechanical cues is crucial for many biological processes. Mechanically-activated protein ion channels detect blood flow, lung inflation and sound waves and are responsible for the regulation of heart beating, breathing and hearing. These protein nanopores respond to pressure by enabling or blocking ion transport across biological membranes. Malfunctioning of these channels accounts for dozens of human diseases. To understand the nanomechanical opening/closing mechanisms of these proteins, it is essential to use tools that can track their dynamic response in real time.
You will create an experimental platform that interfaces acoustic tweezers with high-resolution ionic current detection to study the effect of SAW stimulation on the localization and actuation of force-sensitive protein nanopores. Using fluorescence microscopy and single-molecule conductance measurements, you will (i) monitor the spatial and temporal organization of biomolecules on the nanofluidic chip and (ii) measure the ionic current across the membrane to detect conformational changes induced by membrane perturbation in real-time. In addition, by creating mimics of normal and stiffer membranes (e.g. tumor tissue), you will investigate how the mechanical properties of the membrane influence ion transport through the nanopore.
Results from the project will, on one hand, yield fundamental knowledge of biomechanics at the single-molecule level, and on the other, they will form the basis for a novel lab-on-chip device that enables screening of compounds that inhibit or enhance transmembrane protein function.
More details:
https://www.academictransfer.com/en/291532/phd-acoustic-actuation-of-force-sensitive-protein-nanopores/
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD student to work in the field of mechanobiology. The interdisciplinary project concerns the development of a nanoelectromechanical system that integrates surface acoustic wave (SAW) and nanopore technologies to mechanically manipulate biological molecules and materials in biomimetic membranes.
Sensing mechanical cues is crucial for many biological processes. Mechanically-activated protein ion channels detect blood flow, lung inflation and sound waves and are responsible for the regulation of heart beating, breathing and hearing. These protein nanopores respond to pressure by enabling or blocking ion transport across biological membranes. Malfunctioning of these channels accounts for dozens of human diseases. To understand the nanomechanical opening/closing mechanisms of these proteins, it is essential to use tools that can track their dynamic response in real time.
You will create an experimental platform that interfaces acoustic tweezers with high-resolution ionic current detection to study the effect of SAW stimulation on the localization and actuation of force-sensitive protein nanopores. Using fluorescence microscopy and single-molecule conductance measurements, you will (i) monitor the spatial and temporal organization of biomolecules on the nanofluidic chip and (ii) measure the ionic current across the membrane to detect conformational changes induced by membrane perturbation in real-time. In addition, by creating mimics of normal and stiffer membranes (e.g. tumor tissue), you will investigate how the mechanical properties of the membrane influence ion transport through the nanopore.
Results from the project will, on one hand, yield fundamental knowledge of biomechanics at the single-molecule level, and on the other, they will form the basis for a novel lab-on-chip device that enables screening of compounds that inhibit or enhance transmembrane protein function.
More details:
https://www.academictransfer.com/en/291532/phd-acoustic-actuation-of-force-sensitive-protein-nanopores/
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