Internship Cross-repression within transcription-factor families

Large families of transcription factors, which regulate gene expression by binding to DNA, have been formed by gene duplications and mutational divergence. You will measure this cross-repression within the lac repressor family, using a synthetic network in the model organism E. coli.

Large families of transcription factors, which regulate gene expression by binding to DNA, have been formed by gene duplications and mutational divergence. Although their DNA binding motifs have diverged as well, it remains unclear how specific their binding has become. Indeed, one member may still repress the gene regulated by another member, which is generally termed cross repression.  You will measure this cross-repression within the lac repressor family, using a synthetic network in the model organism E. coli. You will use some molecular cloning and measure expression patterns using state-of-the-art fluorescence techniques. Revealing cross-repression between anciently related repressors is critical to understanding evolutionary pressures during divergence.

About the group Biophysics

Required qualifications
You have a Bachelors-degree in physics, chemistry or biology and participate in a Master in one of these areas. You have a nationality of an EU-member state or if not, you are a student at a Netherlands University. You must be available for at least 6 months.

Terms of employment
In the beginning of your placement, along with your supervisor at AMOLF, you will make a step-by-step plan in which working conditions and supervision will be agreed on. If the training period is to last longer than two months, an agreement will also be established in which things like compensation will be fixed.

For further information please contact:
Dr. S.J. (Sander) Tans
FOM Institute AMOLF
Phone: +31-(0)20-754 7100

Applications can be sent to:
FOM Institute AMOLF
Personnel department
Postbus 41883
1009 DB Amsterdam
The Netherlands
trainee.applicantATamolf.nl

Please quote vacancy # 0805.34

Please send your:
- Résumé;
- List of courses followed so far, and grades obtained.