Cellulose biosynthesis regulation via the endomembrane system.

Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer foundin plants. Cellulose microfibrils, with their exceptional strength, are the load bearing components of the cell wall composite. Cellulose synthesis involves sophisticated machinery, which consists of a membrane protein complex(Cellulose Synthase Complex (CSC)). The synthesis of the microfibrills of cellulose is highly dependent of the enzymatic activity of CSC but also of the regulation of its intracellular trafficking to the plasma membrane (PM). Achemical genomic strategy has been used to isolate compounds that disrupt the endomembrane system, targeting preferentially the endocytotic pathways from the PM. The post-doc fellow will perform cell wall analysis to select the bioactive compounds influencing cell wall composition. A detailed cell biology study will be performed to discover essential pathways/actors of cellulose biosynthesis. A strong experience in cell biology would be a plus. This project will be carried out in the frame of the UPRA agreement (UPSC-INRA) and is a collaboration between Robert's group at UPSC and Vernhettes's group at INRA Versaille, France.

Applications including CV, description of research experience and contact details for two references should be sent to Dr. Stephanie Robert: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Analysis of the role of ECHIDNA and sphingolipids inregulating structure and function of trans-golgi network

This project aims at understanding the role of trans-golgi network (TGN) localisedECHIDNA protein and sphingolipids in controlling protein secretion, TGNstructure and cell elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana. This project will be carried out in the frame of the UPRA agreement (UPSC-INRA) and is a collaboration between Bhalerao group at UPSC and Faure's group at INRA (Versailles, France). Bhalerao and Faure groups have isolated cell elongation mutants with altered TGN function. Some of these mutants are altered in sphingolipid biosynthesis whereas others are mutated in TGN localised proteins (e. g. ECHIDNA) and as a result have altered TGN function. The project will involve a genetic, cellbiological and biochemical approaches to characterize these mutants in order to understand the role of TGN in regulation of protein trafficking and cell elongation in Arabidopsis roots. The applicant should be experienced molecularbiologist and have background in cell biology and confocal microscopy.

Applications including CV, description of research experience and contact details for two references should be sent to Professor Rishikesh Bhalerao: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.upsc.se/rishikesh_bhalerao

Rooting or not rooting? This is the question

Adventitious rooting i.e. regeneration and development of roots on any organ but roots, is an essential step in the vegetative propagation of economically important horticultural and woody species. Easy-to-root and difficult-to-root genotypes are well known in the genus Populus and we propose to investigate the role of regulatory genes identified in Arabidopsis by comparing their expression in two different species P. trichocarpa (easy-to-root) and P. tremula (difficult-to-root) during the AR initiation in stem cuttings. We will also seek for new genes regulating AR formation by comparing the transcriptome of both genotypes, after micro-dissection of the root-forming region.

This project will be carried out in the frame of the UPRA agreement (UPSC-INRA) and is a collaboration between Bellini's group at UPSC and Martin's group at INRA(Nancy, France).

The applicants should have a doctoral degree in molecular biology and knowledge in tree physiology and anatomy would be of great advantage. Good communication skills in English are essential.

Applications including CV, description of research experience and contact details for two references should be sent to to Professor Catherine Bellini, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.upsc.se/catherine_bellini

Interactions between plastid and mitochondrial retrograde signalling pathways

The function of the plant cell depends on theregulated and reciprocal interaction between its different compartments. The chloroplasts and mitochondria are functionally linked. However, the manner by which the organelles communicate and coordinate their activities is unknown. It is possible that the signal is mediated via the nucleus and there are clear indications of interplay between plastid and mitochondrial retrograde signalling pathways. The project is a collaboration between Dr. Åsa Strand at Umeå Plant Science Centre, Umeå University and Dr. Jim Whelan, The Plant Energy Biology Centre of Excellence, University of Western Australia. The goal of this project is to reach a mechanistic understanding of the interactions between plastid and mitochondrial retrograde signalling pathways. The applicants should have a doctoral degree in molecular biology/genetics or biochemistry. The candidate must have documented experimental experience with genetic and molecular methodologies. An ability to work independently as well as in a team, and good skills in the English language, are essential.

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Applications including CV, description of research experience and contact details for two references should be sent to Dr. Åsa Strand, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

(http://www.upsc.se/asa_strand).

Carbon Flux in Developing Aspen Wood

The Umeå Plant Science Center, Sweden, is recruiting for a post-doctoral researcher to join a research program studying carbon flux from phloem to developing wood in aspen. The project is a joint effort between the laboratories of Dr Totte Niittylä at Umeå Plant Science Centre and Prof Mark Stitt at the Max Planck Institute, Germany. The successful candidate is expected to divide his/her research time between the two locations. The research will involve enzyme activity, metabolite measurements and isotope flux measurements, as well as creation and characterization of aspen mutants. Applicants should have a PhD in plant biology or biochemistry/chemistry and a genuine interest to carry out experimental plant research. Previous research experience on metabolite flux analysis and related analytical techniques is highly desirable. Good communication skills in English are essential.

Applications including CV, description of research experience and contact details for two references should be sent to Dr. Totte Niittylä: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.upsc.se/totte_niittyla

How can systems biology improve our understanding of gene regulation in trees?

The way genomic analysis is applied today for selecting target genes for more detailed analysis, is analogous to picking low hanging fruits first. We want to replace traditional, reductionistic bioinformatics analysis in tree biology with systems biology that describes genes in the context of other genes, proteins or metabolites.

The aim is to develop a systems biology resource with the primary application of modeling wood formation in aspen and spruce, and thus taking advantage of the ongoing sequencing of Swedish aspen and Norway spruce to understand development and growth in trees. This research will be conducted in collaboration with Dirk Walther at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology.

The successful applicant has a PhD degree with experience in bioinformatics and/or systems biology. Excellent skills in English and at least one programming language are required. Experience from plant biology is a significant merit.

Applications including CV, description of research experience and contact details for two references should be sent to Dr Torgeir Hvidsten: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.upsc.se/torgeir_hvidsten

CO2 signalling pathways in Chlamydomonas

Chlamydomonas, the green algae molecular model organism respond to changes in the concentration of inorganic carbon in the growth media by inducing or repressing a Carbon Concentrating Mechanism (CCM). The induction of CCM is fast, within a few hours, and leads to a rather dramatic change in cellular metabolism. The goal of this project is to try identifying components in the CO2-sensing and signalling pathways, using both molecular and biochemical techniques. Previous experience in mass spec. analyses of proteins will be considered as an advantage. The project is in collaboration with Professor Gunnar Wingsle at UPSC and Dr Arsenio Villarejo, Madrid. The successful candidate are supposed to spend at least 30% of the time in Madrid

The applicants should have a doctoral degree in molecular biology or biochemistry and experimental experience with molecular and biochemical methodologies. An ability to work independently as well as in a team, and good skills in the English language, are essential.

Applications including CV, description of research experience and contact details for two references should be sent to Professor Göran Samuelsson: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.upsc.se/goran_samuelsson

Role of LFY in the stimulation of cell division and meristematic activity

LEAFY(LFY) is considered to be the archetypical flower meristem-identity gene. All land plants contain one or two LFY genes and loss of LFY function usually leads to a conversionof flower meristems into more or less shoot-like structures. Recentexperimental evidence indicates that in addition to specification of flowermeristem identity LFY might also havea role in stimulating meristematic activity. The project aims to elaborate onthis latter LFY function andwill be carried out in the frame of the UPRA agreement (UPSC-INRA) and is a collaboration between Bako's and Nilsson's group at UPSC and Parcy's group at INRA (Nancy, Versailles or Grenoble, France). Motivated candidates with a strong background in plant cell and molecular biology, including knowledge of microscopy techniques, are encouraged to apply. Previous experience in protein biochemistry will be considered as an advantage.

Applications including CV, description of research experience and contact details for two references should be sent to Dr LaszloBako: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

http://www.upsc.se/laszlo_bako