PhD in Systems Biology, Morphogenesis in Fission Yeast

European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany.

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe maintains a cylindricalshape by alternating polarized growth at the cell ends with divisionsin the middle. The localized growth is established during interphaseby bundles of microtubules that deposit growth factors specifically atcell ends. The bundles are also attached to the nucleus, keeping itnear the cell-center. This is because bundles are anti-parallel, alignalong the main cell axis and transmit the microtubule polymerizationforces from both sides to the nucleus. We have modelled the nucleusand microtubules with simulated Langevin dynamics in three dimensions.We could match most of the experimentally measured microtubulefeatures, using a fix cylindrical cell shape.

We propose now to study how S. pombe determines its shape. The studentwill have to extend the existing model to include abitrary convexshapes. He/her will have to model the transport and deposition ofgrowth factors by the microtubules, and their effects on cell growth.The work will be done in collaboration with Damian Brunner (EMBL).Together, we will test the model using fluorescence recordings of bothwild type and mutant cells followed on multiple generations. Theproposed work is a systems’ level approach of morphogenesis in asimple cell, and the student will combine experiments and theoryduring his/her PhD.

Applicants with prior training in Physics, Mathematics, I.T. orengineering, and a willingness to explore the opportunities offered inBiology are encouraged to apply. EMBL is a renowned internationalresearch laboratory, with more than 60 nationalities represented. Theworking language is English.

The deadline for application is November 1st, 2006.

To apply online: www.embl.de/training/phdprogramme

Important: select Cell Biology and Biophysics in your `Programmepreference’

For more information: www.cytosim.org

François Nédélec, BioMS Group leader
EMBL, Cell Biology and Cell Biophysics
Meyerhofstrasse 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

Email: nedelec@embl.de
Telephone: (+49) 6221 387 597
Telefax: (+49) 6221 387 512