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| Physical Principles of Carbohydrate (Hyaluronan) Cell-Surface Interactions | ||||||||
| Biosurfaces Unit, CIC biomaGUNE | ||||||||
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Are you interested in phenomena of supra-molecular self-organization in biology, and how they relate to biological function? We are looking for a motivated PostDoc to join our research efforts in this field. The research team is interdisciplinary, on the borderline between biology, physics, chemistry and surface science. We combine new approaches of surface modification and nano-patterning and novel characterization techniques to investigate biological questions. To this end, we use purpose-designed model systems as well as living cells. The team is part of the CIC biomaGUNE (San Sebastian, Spain), a young research center for biomaterials, which offers excellent working conditions and has recently been equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and facilities, including confocal, atomic force, and electron microscopes, a variety of surface-sensitive (QCM-D, SPR, ellipsometry) and spectroscopic (ATR-FTIR, fluorescence) techniques, and facilities for cell culture. The project: The interaction between the extracellular polysaccharide hyaluronan and the cell surface plays a vital role in a variety of biological processes, including inflammation, cell migration and morphogenesis. This 1-year project will focus on elucidating the physical principles that underlie the regulation of receptor-mediated hyaluronan binding to the cell surface. The project is based on surface-confined model systems. Modern analytical techniques such as quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), ellipsometry, microinterferometry (RICM) and fluorescence microscopy will be employed. The applicant will also get intensive training in modern methods of surface biofunctionalization, including supported lipid membranes. The work will be conducted in collaboration with Prof. D. Jackson (MRC Human Immunology Unit, Oxford, UK). The applicant should have keen interest to work in an international and interdisciplinary research team. A solid experience in biological surface science, physical chemistry, biophysics, glycobiology, biochemistry or a related field is required. The working language is English. The project can be started immediately. Interested? Please send an informal application with a brief statement of your interests, your CV and the contact information of two referees to Ralf Richter (rrichter@cicbiomagune.es). Further information can be found at www.cicbiomagune.es. Keywords: Biological Surface Science, Physical Chemistry, Biophysics, Glycobiology, Hyaluronan, Pericellular Coat, Cell ECM Interactions |
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