Phage Biology

Primary Objectives: (1) Isolating, sequencing and otherwise characterizing new and unusual bacteriophages, approximately 200 per year, and (2) Using both the sequence data obtained and other sequence data in the literature to fill homology-based gene trees that relate the various bacteriophage genes.

Secondary Objectives: Further characterizing the new bacteriophages by use of procedures that include electron microscopy, single-particle fluorescence microscopy (of bacteriophages while producing a plaque, for example), analytical ultracentrifugation, gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

The Serwer laboratory at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) has been working on bacteriophage assembly since 1976. The Hardies laboratory at the UTHSCSA has been working on DNA sequencing/informatics since 1985. The Demeler laboratory at the UTHSCSA has been working on database software and analytical ultracentrifugation since 2000. These three laboratories have formed a collaboration that targets the above objectives in genomics/informatics. We anticipate that the work involved will have application in microbial ecology, bioremediation and biological therapy. We have already isolated and propagated numerous bacteriophages whose isolation would not have been possible without our revised procedures. We think that we know at least some of the reasons for the “great-plaque-count-anomaly”. We now isolate about 20 new bacteriophages per week per person. We anticipate being able to do this for the foreseeable future. The Serwer/Hardies collaboration has recently extended the readable length of DNA sequencing ladders. The Hardies laboratory has recently introduced and is the process of introducing major improvements in both gene identification and homology tree construction. The Demeler/Serwer collaboration has produced a relational database that will make data on all bacteriophages both easily accessible and cross-searchable.

Availability: Immediate. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field.

Funding: Kleberg Foundation (origin = King Ranch, also the source of many bacteriophages).

Length: 2.5 years; Salary: approx. $30k (depending on experience), plus benefits.

Contact:

Dr. Philip Serwer: serwer@uthscsa.edu.

Dr. Stephen C. Hardies: hardies@uthscsa.edu.

Further information: Dr. Serwer will be at both the Colorado bacteriophage assembly meeting in June and the Evergreen meeting in August. See also Virology 310, 359 (2003) and Virology 329, 412 (2004).

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All faculty appointments are designated as security sensitive positions

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Mechanisms of T5

We are looking for a motivated candidate trained in molecular biology, biochemistry and interested in biophysical approaches. This postdoc will work on the mechanism of T5 DNA encapsidation and ejection. .

The conditions are the following :
The candidate must be less than 35 years.
The Application Deadline for the Fellowship is Febraury 28, 2005.

The postdoc position is for one year but may be prolonged for a second year. The salary is 1830 € per month.
Announcement of Awards: end of May 2005. The candidate should arrive in September 2005.

Pascale Boulanger, PhD
Transports Membranaires de Macromolécules
IBBMC - CNRS UMR 8619
Bât. 430 - Université de Paris-Sud
F- 91405 ORSAY cedex
Tel: 33(0)1 69 15 63 40
Fax: 33(0)1 69 15 47 27
http://www.ibbmc.u-psud.fr

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Last Updated: May 29, 2008

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