Bachelor/Master
Background
The electrical membrane potential (electrical membrane voltage) is of crucial relevance for diverse cell functions. Not only is it essential for the electrical excitability of cells, it also determines the import and export of substances and has impacts on very complex cell functions such as migration and proliferation. However, the measurement of the membrane voltage with electrophysiological methods is laborious (and expensive) and also invasive because the cells either do not survive such measurements or their functional properties are strongly altered. Therefore, it would be a great achievement if one could determine the membrane voltage in a non-invasive manner by means of fluorescence microscopy or even FACS analysis.
Subject
Based on extensive preliminary work of the host laboratory, you will study so-called GEVIs (Genetically Encoded Voltage Indicators), i.e. fluorescence proteins that display a dependence on the membrane voltage, with fluorescence microscopic methods after functional expression in various cell lines. Moreover, you will perform site-directed mutagenesis of already available GEVIs aiming for an improvement of their properties.
Methods
Molecular biology (recombinant DNA technology), cell biology (cell culture, FACS analysis), fluorescence microscopy, image analysis
Target group
Students in Master Programs of Biochemistry, Biology, Photonics
Contact
Prof. Dr. Stefan H. Heinemann
Institut für Biochemie und Biophysik
Zentrum für Molekulare Biomedizin (CMB)
Hans-Knöll-Straße 2
07745 Jena
(stefan.h.heinemann@uni-jena.de)
Background
In order to understand the molecular processes that ultimately lead to specific cell function, we need to know the location, the concentration, and in some cases even the exact state of small signaling molecules as well as signaling proteins inside cells. A great number of fluorescent proteins with tailored properties thus serve as cellular reporters. Inspite of the large number of available fluorescence reporters, there are still many scientific questions that require the development and optimization of novel sensor proteins.
Subject
Based on extensive preliminary work of the host laboratory, you will work on selected sensor proteins. Currently, we are seeking interested students for projects on the detection of free heme inside cells, on the ratiometric measurement of the intracellular calcium ion concentration, as well as for the detection of posttranslational protein modifications (e.g. oxidation). You will therefore perform site-directed mutagenesis of already available sensors or will contriute to the design of completely new sensor concepts. Using spectroscopic and fluorescence microscopic methods (including FACS analysis), you will examine the proerties of the respective sensor proteins and will evaluate their applicability for reporting cell functions.
Methods
Molecular biology (recombinant DNA technology), cell biology (cell culture, FACS analysis), fluorescence microscopy, image analysis
Target group
Students in Bachelor and Master Programs of Biochemistry, Biology, Photonics
Contact
Prof. Dr. Stefan H. Heinemann
Institut für Biochemie und Biophysik
Zentrum für Molekulare Biomedizin (CMB)
Hans-Knöll-Straße 2
07745 Jena
(stefan.h.heinemann@uni-jena.de)