POSTDOCTORAL POSITION
Centre de Recherches sur les Macromolécules Végétales (CERMAV/CNRS)
BP 53 - 38041 Grenoble cedex 9 - France
http://www.cermav.cnrs.fr/
A post-doctoral position supported by the French Minister of Foreign
Affairs (Chautebriand fellowships) is open at our Center to work in the
biochemical and structural characterization of the Neisseria
meningitidis ? (1-3) N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase LgtA. This protein
shares sequence similarity with other bacterial and human
glycosyltransferases. LgtA is involved in the synthesis of the
lacto-N-neotetraose moiety of lipo-oligosaccharide (LOS). LOS was found
to be relevant for pathogenesis. The goal of the research is to
understand the molecular basis of this particular protein - sugar
interaction, and eventually design inhibitors.
The project consists in:
* Production of a recombinant form of the protein
* Biochemical characterization of the recombinant form of LgtA: kinetic
constants, study of possible inhibitors (acceptor and donor analogs).
* Role of conserved amino acids: site - directed mutagenesis,
biochemical and biophysical characterization of the mutants.
* Structural characterization.
The candidate should hold a Ph.D. on biochemistry or Microbiology, and
be a Canadian citizen.
Please e-mail or fax CV to:
Roberto A. GEREMIA
E-mail: geremia at cermav.cnrs.fr
Fax: 33.4.76.54.72.03 (foreign countries)
