From: bco-bounces@lists.oulu.fi [mailto:bco-bounces@lists.oulu.fi] On Behalf Of Anita Tienhaara
Sent: 30. syyskuuta 2013 8:18
To: finbionet@helisci.fi
Subject: [Bco] Postdoc/PhD student position with background in cell biology, biochemistry, or structural biology at University of Helsinki

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoc/PhD student with background in cell biology, biochemistry, or structural biology. The host group (Dr. Hongxia Zhao, Academy research fellow, University of Helsinki), funded by the academy of Finland, is focusing on protein functions in membrane morphogenesis (see below for example Zhao et al., 2011, Curr. Opin. Cell Biol.; Saarikangas and Zhao, 2009, Curr. Biol.).  The salary (commensurate with qualifications) will be paid based on the University salary system.

The candidate is expected to be familiar with eucaryotic cell culture and cell imaging, cloning, protein expression and protein purification. Knowledge of membrane biochemistry or biophysics is a plus but not required. He or she should be fluent in English.

To apply, please send your application (including a cover letter, CV and preferably two references) by email to hongxia.zhao@helsinki.fi. Further inquiries can be directed to the same address.

Our research Interest:

Dynamic membrane remodelling is essential for many central cellular processes, including cell morphogenesis, motility, cytokinesis, endocytosis and secretion. For example, cell migration is driven by filopodial and lamellipodial protrusions that push the plasma membrane forward at the leading edge of the cell. Moreover, the innate immune responses require the plasma membrane bending to generate phagocytotic cups for the intake and subsequent destruction of pathogens. These processes rely on the dynamic changes in the structures and compositions of cellular membranes. The mechanisms that govern the formation and maintenance of membrane curvature also function in organelle morphogenesis, such as formation of mitochondrial cristae and endoplasmic reticulum tubular structures. Therefore, detailed knowledge on the mechanisms by which different membrane structures are generated and remodelled is fundamental for understanding the principles of a large number of cellular processes. Importantly, membrane remodelling is misregulated in many human diseases, such as cancer, auto-inflammatory diseases, and mental disorders, further underscoring the importance of precise regulation of membrane dynamics.

Generation of membrane curvature is an essential step in cellular morphogenesis, typically achieved with the help of various proteins that employ different mechanisms to fulfil this task.  Our lab is interested in protein functions in membrane morphogenesis. We use a combination of biophysical, biochemical, and cell biological methods to reveal how these proteins affect membrane morphology and dynamics, as well as how membrane morphogenesis is linked to other important cellular processes.

Selected Publications (in recent five years):

Zhao H, Michelot A, Koskela EV,  Tkach V, Stamou D, Drubin DG, Lappalainen P (2013) Membrane-sculpting Bin-Amphiphysin-Rvs (BAR) domains generate stable lipid microdomains. Cell Reports. 4: 1213 - 1223

Weber-Boyvat M*, Zhao H*, Aro N, Yuan Q, Chernov K, Peränen J, Lappalainen P, Jäntti J (2013) A conserved regulatory mode in exocytic membrane fusion revealed by Mso1p membrane interactions. Mol Biol Cell. 24:331-341. *Equal contribution

Zhao H*, Lappalainen P (2012) A simple guide to biochemical approaches for analyzing protein-lipid interactions. Mol. Biol. Cell. 23:2823-2830.

*Corresponding author

Pykalainen A, Boczkowska M, Zhao H, Saarikangas J, Rebowski G, Jansen M, Hakala J, Vihinen H, Jokitalo E, Salminen M, Ikonen E, Dominguez R, and Lappalainen P (2011) The BAR domain of epithelial-specific protein Pinkbar stabilizes planar membrane sheets. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol.18:902-907.

Zhao H, Pykalainen A, and Lappalainen P (2011) I-BAR domain proteins:  linking actin and membrane dynamics in the formation of plasma membrane protrusions. Curr. Opin. Cell Biol. 23:14-21.

Zhao H*, Hakala, M, Lappalainen, P (2010) ADF/Cofilin Binds Phosphoinositides in a Multivalent Manner to Act as a PIP2-Density Sensor. Biophys. J. 98: 2327-2336. *Corresponding author

Saarikangas J, Zhao H, Lappalainen P (2010) Regulation of the actin cytoskeleton-plasma membrane interplay by phosphoinositides. Physiol. Rev. 90: 259-289.

Saarikangas J,* Zhao H*, Pykalainen A, Laurinmaki P, Mattila PK, Kinnunen PK, Butcher SJ, Lappalainen P (2009) Molecular mechanisms of membrane deformation by I-BAR domain proteins. Curr. Biol. 19: 95-107.

*Equal contribution