PhD – scholarship in Cellular Signal Processing
A 3-year PhD scholarship is available in BioMedical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering.
The work takes place in close collaboration with the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Panum, University of Copenhagen.
Quorum Sensing is an inter-cell communication system by which bacterial cells keep track of the population density and adjust their behaviour accordingly. The attack phenotype is characterized by the production of an overwhelming cocktail of tissue damaging virulence factors. Bacterial cells expressing virulence factors are attacking cells, whereas their non-producing counterparts are harmless. Since many of the virulence factors are easily recognized by the host, keeping expression at a low level until a sufficient number of bacteria have amassed to successfully overcome the immune system is a stealthy attack strategy. The coordinated gene expression makes it hard for the human immune system to launch efficient countermeasures to the attack.
The PhD student will enter a program where strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with deactivated production of signal molecules and GFP (detectable fluorescence) tagged attack genes are studied. This gives us access to the sub-processes in the gene expression regulatory loop. In fact, we are able to observe the activation of the attack gene at the cellular level. In the QS laboratory, Panum, the quorum sensing process can be monitored using fluorescence microscopy where the individual bacteria as well as the host cells can be observed at the single cell level. Furthermore, it is possible to monitor the concentration of signal molecules. A detailed experimental mapping of the quorum sensing feed-back loop in P. aeruginosa and a mathematical modeling of the sub-processes is the target of the PhD project.
The modelling and data analysis takes place in the Cellular Signal Processing Group at BioMedical Engineering, DTU Elektro. The experiments are carried out in Michael Givskovs group at Panum, University of Copenhagen.
Candidates should hold a master’s degree in engineering, biophysics or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a master’s degree.
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. Information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies is included in the general rules of DTU, which may be obtained by application to the PhD programme office at tel: +45 45 25 11 76 or +45 45 25 11 77. Further information is available at www.dtu.dk/English/education/Phd_Education.aspx.
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students.
Further information about the PhD can be obtained by contacting Associate Professor Thomas Sams, ts@elektro.dtu.dk, tel.: +45 45 25 57 25.
Application
Applications, including cover letter, curriculum vitae, and MSc diploma and transcript. To apply open the link “apply online” fill out the form and attach the abovementioned documents.
Application deadline: 1 October 2008 at 12.00.
DTU needs diversity and supports equal opportunities irrespective of gender, age, and ethnic background.
http://www.dtu.dk/English/About_DTU/vacancies.aspx?guid=22985817
The work takes place in close collaboration with the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Panum, University of Copenhagen.
Quorum Sensing is an inter-cell communication system by which bacterial cells keep track of the population density and adjust their behaviour accordingly. The attack phenotype is characterized by the production of an overwhelming cocktail of tissue damaging virulence factors. Bacterial cells expressing virulence factors are attacking cells, whereas their non-producing counterparts are harmless. Since many of the virulence factors are easily recognized by the host, keeping expression at a low level until a sufficient number of bacteria have amassed to successfully overcome the immune system is a stealthy attack strategy. The coordinated gene expression makes it hard for the human immune system to launch efficient countermeasures to the attack.
The PhD student will enter a program where strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with deactivated production of signal molecules and GFP (detectable fluorescence) tagged attack genes are studied. This gives us access to the sub-processes in the gene expression regulatory loop. In fact, we are able to observe the activation of the attack gene at the cellular level. In the QS laboratory, Panum, the quorum sensing process can be monitored using fluorescence microscopy where the individual bacteria as well as the host cells can be observed at the single cell level. Furthermore, it is possible to monitor the concentration of signal molecules. A detailed experimental mapping of the quorum sensing feed-back loop in P. aeruginosa and a mathematical modeling of the sub-processes is the target of the PhD project.
The modelling and data analysis takes place in the Cellular Signal Processing Group at BioMedical Engineering, DTU Elektro. The experiments are carried out in Michael Givskovs group at Panum, University of Copenhagen.
Candidates should hold a master’s degree in engineering, biophysics or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a master’s degree.
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. Information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies is included in the general rules of DTU, which may be obtained by application to the PhD programme office at tel: +45 45 25 11 76 or +45 45 25 11 77. Further information is available at www.dtu.dk/English/education/Phd_Education.aspx.
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students.
Further information about the PhD can be obtained by contacting Associate Professor Thomas Sams, ts@elektro.dtu.dk, tel.: +45 45 25 57 25.
Application
Applications, including cover letter, curriculum vitae, and MSc diploma and transcript. To apply open the link “apply online” fill out the form and attach the abovementioned documents.
Application deadline: 1 October 2008 at 12.00.
DTU needs diversity and supports equal opportunities irrespective of gender, age, and ethnic background.
http://www.dtu.dk/English/About_DTU/vacancies.aspx?guid=22985817
