We are seeking a highly motivated candidate to investigate how an embryo is formed from a single-celled zygote. The postdoctoral position is initially available for three years, with the possibility for extension and for developing an independent research project. The focus will be on the integration of signals into embryo patterning and the epigenetic regulation of embryo development.
Background: Unlike in most animals, the zygote of plants is transcriptionally active and in response to the fertilization event and to signals from the parents initiates embryo axis formation and patterning. We previously showed that the Arabidopsis zygote activates transcription of master regulators for the apical (shoot) and the basal (root) lineage, the homeodomain transcription factors WOX2 and WOX8/9, respectively (Breuninger et al. 2008). WOX8/9 expression is initiated in the zygote through a MAP kinase signaling cascade, activated by the sperm, and by homeodomain proteins derived from the egg cell (Ueda et al 2011, Ueda et al.2017). Only after the division of the zygote, WOX2 expression becomes restricted to the apical cell and WOX8/9 to the basal cell (Haecker et al. 2004). WOX2 subsequently regulates the initiation of the shoot meristem stem cells and WOX8/9 of root meristem stem cells (Zhang et al. 2017, and unpublished). The function of both pathways is tightly connected to balancing phytohormone action in the embryo (Roberts et al. 2018; Zhang et al. 2017).
Position: The candidate is expected to combine synthetic biology with molecular genetics of cell signaling and transcriptional regulation. A strong background in molecular biology, epigenetics, and genomic analyses is of advantage, as well as experience in microscopy and developmental biology. The candidate is encouraged to participate in international collaborations to integrate research results into agricultural application. The lab language is English. German is not required. For further information on the Laux lab, please visit our homepage (
www.biologie.uni-freiburg.de/LauxLab).
The University of Freiburg with a strong and international scientific community is regularly among the top ranked German Universities, and advanced facilities for synthetic biology, high throughput analysis, and live imaging are available. The city of Freiburg is located in the Black Forest, next to France, Switzerland, and the Alps.
To apply, please send your CV including your research experiences and your future interests to Thomas Laux (
[email protected]).
The Position will be open until a suitable candidate has been found
Breuninger et al. (2008). Differential expression of WOX genes mediates apical-basal axis formation in the Arabidopsis embryo. Developmental Cell 14, 867-876.
Robert et al. (2018). Maternal auxin supply contributes to early embryo patterning in Arabidopsis. Nature Plants doi: 10.1038/s41477-018-0204.
Ueda, et al. (2017). Transcriptional integration of paternal and maternal factors in the Arabidopsis zygote. Genes Development, 31, 617-627.
Ueda et al. (2011). Transcriptional activation of Arabidopsis axis patterning genes WOX8/9 links zygote polarity to embryo development. Developmental Cell 20, 264-270.
Zhang et al. (2017). A molecular framework for the embryonic initiation of shoot meristem stem cells. Developmental Cell, 40, 264–277.
