DC 16: Structural characterization of group II introns from Enterobacterales and Candida species and the 5’UTR of ompA bound to inhibitors using cryo-EM

PhD project description:

We will apply cryo-EM and integrative structural biology and biochemical approaches (X-ray, SAXS) to characterize binding of small molecule inhibitors to bacterial and fungal ribozymes and regulatory UTR regions. We will use cutting edge cryo-EM sample preparation, data acquisition and data processing approaches to capture these small-molecule-bound RNAs at high resolution, visualizing how the compounds impede catalysis and modulate the structural dynamics of the target RNAs. The targets consist of ~400-800 nucleotides and adopt highly structured 3D fold. Useful references: Marcia and Pyle, Cell, 2012; Manigrasso et al, Nat Comm, 2020; Manigrasso et al, Chem, 2021; Martin et al, TIPS, 2021; Silvestri et al, Nat Comm, 2024. 

Research environment:

The PhD student recruited through this call will work in Marco Marcia’s research group. Marco Marcia leads a research group in structural and cell biology and RNA biochemistry. The group works with RNA cryoEM and X-ray crystallography, coupled to RNA chemical probing, mutagenesis, cellular functional assays, and RNA-protein interaction techniques. These are used to understand structure-function relationships in large catalytic and regulatory non-coding RNAs involved in bacterial and fungal infections, cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders. The student will work in an international and dynamic environment with great opportunities to learn new techniques. We will have a well-equipped lab, in house access to a Glacios cryoEM microscope, and access to national SciLifeLab facilities in structural biology, proteomics, genomics, chemical biology, genetic engineering, and imaging in Uppsala, Stockholm, and Gothenburg.

Skills/qualifications:

• Completed a degree at the advanced level (Master’s level), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are at the advanced level (Master’s level), or
• acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

The University may permit an exemption from the general entry requirements for an individual applicant, if there are special grounds (Chapter 7, § 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance).
For doctoral studies in Molecular Biosciences it is required that the accepted candidate has passed courses in relevant topics of at least 60 credits at the advanced level. It is required that the student is well acquainted with the theories in the current research field through advanced level courses and have completed a master degree project in a relevant discipline.
Provided that the above course requirements are met, the special eligibility can be obtained through studies in the natural science, biomedicine or engineering programs. Equivalent knowledge can also be acquired in other ways in Sweden or abroad.

Benefits/salary/social security:

“The student will be enrolled in the Doctoral Programme Molecular Life Sciences of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Uppsala University: https://www.uu.se/en/staff/faculty/science-and-technology/education-and-teaching/doctoral-studies/subjects-and-study-plans/subjects/molecular-life-sciences

The starting gross salary for this position at Uppsala University is of 30,700 Swedish krona per month for the first year, with yearly step increases conditional to the successful progression through the doctoral programme. The programme focuses primarily on research activities, with teaching support limited to a level of 20% of the working time.

Benefits include support for settling in Sweden, holiday and family allowances, subsidized health care, wellness and fitness, and free admission to museums and University gardens. Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University here: https://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/join-us”

The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.
Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date February 2025.
 

For further information about the position, please contact: Marco Marcia, marco.marcia@icm.uu.se