Internships Deformation of biomimetic living cells by enclosed active biopolymer networks

In this project you will build simplified model systems of living cells and analyze how internal biopolymer bundles affect their shape.

Research / Job description
Living animal cells are bounded by a lipid membrane which separates the cell’s intricate molecular machinery from the exterior. Enclosed in this micron-sized confinement are biopolymer networks of the protein actin which provide the cell with mechanical stability and shape. Actin is a globular protein that can polymerize to form filaments (F-actin). During cell locomotion, F-actin can form bundles, mediated by the protein fascin, and thus protrude the membrane of the cell front. In the rear of the cell, myosin protein motors create contractile forces that detach the cell body from the substrate and move it forward (see image below). We want to understand how the interplay between F-actin, myosin motors and membrane determines cell shape. What is the minimum stiffness for actin bundles to bend membranes? How does network-membrane anchoring affect cell deformation? To answer these questions, we build biomimetic cells comprised of giant vesicles filled with actin, myosin, and fascin.

In this project you will learn the method developed at the AMOLF institute to build the biomimetic system. You will learn how to purify the actin bundler fascin from E. Coli bacteria, and we will use this protein to control the stiffness of actin bundles. We will observe deformations of vesicles by confocal microscopy and fluorescence microscopy.
 
This internship will take place in a particularly interdisciplinary and international environment which offers the unique possibility of
working on the interface between physics and biology.

About the group Biological Soft Matter

Required qualifications
You participate in a Bachelor or a Master study in physics, chemistry or biology. 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 3 months (Bachelor project) / 6 months (Master project).

Terms of traineeship
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:
Prof.dr. Gijsje Koenderink
Group leader Biological Soft Matter
E-mail: gkoenderinkATamolf.nl
Phone: +31 (0)20-754 7100

Applications can be sent to:
FOM Institute AMOLF
P&O dept.
Postbus 41883
1009 DB  Amsterdam
The Netherlands
E-mail: trainee.applicantATamolf.nl
Please quote vacancy # 12013.37

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