Open Positions in the Schiebel Lab
Please send applications to:
Prof. Dr. Elmar Schiebel
Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie (ZMBH)
Im Neuenheimer Feld 345 (1.OG), 69120 Heidelberg
schiebel.elmar@zmbh.uni-heidelberg.de
www.zmbh.uni-heidelberg.de/Schiebel
PhD positions, Master projects and Lab rotations
Master Projects
in the laboratory of Prof. E. Schiebel, Centre for Molecular Biology (ZMBH), University of Heidelberg, Germany
My laboratory at the ZMBH, University of Heidelberg, is offering Master projects in the following areas:
The structure and function of gamma-tubulin complexes. Gamma-tubulin complexes assemble microtubules from tubulin subunits. Microtubules have essential functions for chromosome segregation in mitosis and meiosis, fertility, transport process in particularly in neurons. Drugs such as Taxol that target tubulin are broadly used in cancer therapy. Gamma-tubulin complexes regulate the spatial and temporal formation of microtubules. In this project we determine the structure of gamma-tubulin complexes by Cryo-EM. We will also analyse how gamma-tubulin complexes interact with microtubule polymerases.
Centrosome duplication and centriole-centrosome conversion. Centrosomes are the main microtubule organizing centres in human cells. They only duplicate once per cell cycle. Misregulation of centrosome duplication triggers a p53 response and G1 arrest. This safeguard mechanism is bypassed in cancer cells. After duplication in S phase centrosomes convert into mature centrosomes. Here we analyse the molecular mechanism of this conversion process.
Centrosome cohesion. The two centrosomes of a cell are linked together into one unit from G1 until G2 phase. At the beginning of mitosis this linkage is resolved by the kinase NEK2. Here we will study molecular mechanisms of this linkage, the structure of the linker and functional consequences if centrosome cohesion fails.
Nuclear pore complex biogenesis and spindle pole body duplication. Nuclear pore complexes and the yeast spindle pole body (SPB; yeast microtubule organizing centre) are both embedded in the double membrane of the nuclear envelope. Here we aim to understand how large protein assemblies become inserted into the nuclear envelope and how the inner and outer nuclear envelopes fuse during this embedding process.
During the 6-month master project, you will receive a Student Assistant Contract (Hiwi contract).
Please send applications with a short motivation letter, CV, bachelor transcripts and the name of one referee to Prof. Dr. E. Schiebel (schiebel.elmar@zmbh.uni-heidelberg.de).
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Lab Rotation
in the Laboratory of Prof. Elmar Schiebel,
ZMBH, Heidelberg University
My laboratory at the ZMBH, Heidelberg University, is offering lab rotations (6-8 weeks) for Master students who are interested in cell biology, molecular biology or biochemistry.
Topics are:
The structure and function of gamma-tubulin complexes. Gamma-tubulin complexes assemble microtubules from tubulin subunits. Microtubules have essential functions for chromosome segregation in mitosis and meiosis, fertility, transport process in particularly in neurons. Drugs such as Taxol that target tubulin are broadly used in cancer therapy. Gamma-tubulin complexes regulate the spatial and temporal formation of microtubules. In this project we determine the structure of gamma-tubulin complexes by Cryo-EM.
Genomic tagging of genes in human cells. Presently we are establishing and optimizing approaches based on gRNA and Cas9-like enzymes to tag human genes at the 3’ and 5’ end with a toolbox of PCR cassettes (NeonGreen, GFP, mRuby, auxin degron tag). This allows tagging of human genes within 20 days.
Centrosome duplication and centriole-centrosome conversion. Centrosomes are the main microtubule organizing centres in human cells. They only duplicate once per cell cycle. Misregulation of centrosome duplication triggers a p53 response and G1 arrest. This safeguard mechanism is bypassed in cancer cells. After duplication in S phase centrosomes convert into mature centrosome. Here we analyse the molecular mechanism of the conversion process.
Nuclear pore complex biogenesis and spindle pole body duplication. Nuclear pore complexes and the yeast spindle pole body (SPB; yeast microtubule organizing centre) are both embedded in the double membrane of the nuclear envelope. Here we aim to understand how large protein assemblies become inserted into the nuclear envelope and how the inner and outer nuclear envelopes fuse during this embedding process.
Please send applications to E. Schiebel:
schiebel.elmar@zmbh.uni-heidelberg.de