Profile : The candidate should have a strong research interest in basic cellular biology, molecular biology, and neuroscience. The work will include molecular cloning, cell culture work involving cell lines and primary hippocampal neurons, live-cell fluorescence microscopy, and eventually electrophysiology.
Project : Manipulating the physiology of organelles within a living cell has presented major technological challenges, but subcellular optogenetics offers a fascinating opportunity to gain real-time control on parameters such as intracellular ion homeostasis or 2nd messenger signaling. We have previously published an optogenetic tool that allows light-driven acidification of synaptic vesicles and lysosomes (Rost, Schneider et al 2015). The current project aims at developing novel optogenetic tools for manipulating the pH in acidic organelles.
Lab : https://schmitz.neurocure.de
The project may be started as a Master thesis (self-funded), followed by a PhD thesis for three years (paid, DFG-funded / SPP1926).
Application : Benjamin.rost@charite.de