Biophysikalische NMR-Spektroskopie
The fusion of synaptic vesicles with the pre-synaptic plasma membrane (neuronal exocytosis) is a key process for neurotransmitter release at the neuronal synapse. We develop and implement advanced solution and proton-detected solid-state NMR methods to study the three-dimensional structure and dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins and membrane proteins involved in neuronal exocytosis. Proteins are embedded in a lipid bilayer environment and studied at physiological temperatures.
We have several openings for bachelor or master thesis projects in the subject area of molecular biophysics and/or structural neurobiology, with different topics in:
1. Structure, dynamics and lipid interactions of membrane proteins involved in neuronal exocytosis.
2. Methods development in solution and solid-state NMR.
3. Internal and conformational dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins.
4. Molecular recognition and dynamic conformational transitions of viral fusion proteins.
If you are interested in one of these topics, please contact Nils-Alexander.Lakomek(at)hhu.de or n.lakomek(at)fz-juelich.de