We recently finished a proteomic screen to survey which key factors are expressed de novo in a developing organism to reach competence for meiotic and mitotic spindle assembly. Interestingly, our screen identified several novel centrosomal proteins which seem to be rate limiting factors for de novo centrosome biogenesis, centrosome duplication, faithful spindle function, as well a and basal body assembly for primary cilia formation. The aim of a new project in the lab is to elucidate the function of these proteins at the molecular level. We are using a combination of biochemical assays in cell free extracts and siRNA-based approach in living human cells (Tegha-Dunghu et al., 2008; Reber et al., 2008) to identify and functionally characterise these novel centrosomal proteins.
Our laboratory is member of the recently founded DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance (http://www.dkfz-zmbh-allianz.de/index_en.html) and is receiving additional support from the award of a Start-Professorship (2010) by the Excellence Initiative of German Universities. The position for the described project is funded by a competitive fellowship for three years.
The ZMBH is equipped with all tools for cutting edge cell biology, including a state-of the art microscopy facility and excellent mass spectrometry unit. PhD students of the ZMBH are integrated into the HBIGS graduate school at the University of Heidelberg. Students in our group get excellent supervision in all technical and conceptual questions. Check out our homepage (http://www.zmbh.uni-heidelberg.de/gruss/default.shtml) to find out more.
We are looking for highly motivated individuals, who are seeking for a challenging project in basic science. Insight into protein biochemistry is required, and experience with imaging techniques is an advantage. The candidate should have a MSC in Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry or Biophysics.