PhD position - Evolution of transcriptional networks shaping the legume root symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia

Institute: LMU Munich, Faculty of Biology, Genetics

Subject areas/Research fields: Protein Biochemistry/ Structural Biology/ Molecular Biology/ Molecular Plant Sciences, Microbiology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Evo-Devo, Genetics

Keywords: Development, Evolution, Symbiosis, Plant-Microbe interaction, transcriptional regulation, transcriptional networks

Name of supervisor: Prof. Dr. Martin Parniske and Dr. Chloé Cathebras

Funding: LSM-CSC/DAAD-GSSP (LSM), Application for funding by the DFG is in progress

Project title: Evolution of transcriptional networks shaping the legume root symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia

Project description: Crop production worldwide is sustained through nitrogen fertilizer produced via the energy-demanding Haber-Bosch process. Legumes evolved to become independent of nitrogen from the soil by engaging in symbiosis with bacteria, collectively called rhizobia, that convert atmospheric nitrogen to plant-usable ammonium. The project builds on the underlying idea that the nitrogen-fixing root nodule symbiosis of legumes experienced modifications and improvements by dynamically evolving transcriptional networks. By focusing on transcription factors and cis-regulatory elements on cognate promoters, the early career scientist will investigate and compare the connections between different signaling pathways involved in the evolution of the nitrogen-fixing symbiosis of legumes. The project will require a strong knowledge base and ideally practical experience in protein biochemistry, analysis of protein-protein and protein-DNA interaction in vitro and transcriptome analysis in silico.

References: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1g3whIEAAAAJ&hl=en

For further information, please contact: Dr. Chloé Cathebras, Chloe.Cathebras@biologie.uni-muenchen.de; Prof. Dr. Martin Parniske, parniske@lmu.de

Research group website: https://www.genetik.biologie.uni-muenchen.de/research/parniske/parniske/index.html

Apply: Please send your application through the online portal of the Graduate School Life Science Munich (LSM)