UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA-POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP
Postdoctoral Fellowship- Chloroplast genomes of dinoflagellates
This postdoctoral position is to investigate the amazing minicircular
chloroplast genes of dinoflagellate algae (Zhang et al. Nature 400: 155-159
(1999); Mol Biol Evol 19: 489-500 (2000)). Each of 12 genes discovered so
far is on its own individual 2-3 kb minicircle. The non-coding region has
conserved sequence blocks that are shared among all the genes of a species,
but are completely different between species. Chimeric minicircles
containing fragments of several genes indicate extensive recombinogenic
activity and raise questions about the evolutionary origin of these
minicircles. Since only a small number of the usual complement of
chloroplast genes has been discovered in several Heterocapsa and
Amphidinium species, one of our goals is to determine whether the missing
genes are on larger DNA molecules (like most plastid genomes) or have been
transferred to the nucleus.
The ideal candidate for this position would have experience in molecular
genetics, genomics or gene expression of an organelle, or have worked on
problems concerning molecular evolution of photosynthetic eukaryotes. The
basic requirements are a demonstrated mastery of molecular
biological/biochemical techniques and a pioneering spirit! This project is
guaranteed to generate some surprises (and publications in top journals),
and should appeal to those who like to work off the beaten track.
Dinoflagellates are an important part of marine phytoplankton, contributing
to the global drawdown of CO2. Some of them are notorious for causing toxic
"red tides", but others are responsible for the viability of coral reefs.
In my lab, we are particularly interested in them because they are one of
the groups of algae that acquired chloroplasts by secondary endosymbiosis,
i.e. by engulfing a red alga and retaining only its chloroplast, now
surrounded by three or four membranes (see Ishida and Green, PNAS 99:
9294-9299, 2002). Other projects in the lab are concerned with protein
import and processing, and the relationship between light-harvesting and
dissipation of excess light energy.
This postdoctoral position is available now, but could be commenced any
time before the end of 2002. For further information, please contact (by
e-mail or phone):
Dr. Beverley R. Green,
Botany Department,
University of British Columbia,
#3529-6270 University Boulevard,
Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6T 1Z4
Phone: 1-604-822-2349 (lab -3613)
Fax: 1-604-822-6089
E-mail: brgreen at interchange.ubc.ca
Website: http://www.botany.ubc.ca/green.html
_____________________________________
Prof. Beverley R. Green,
Dept. of Botany,
University of British Columbia,
#3529-6270 University Boulevard,
Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6T 1Z4
Phone: 1-604-822-2349 (lab -3613)
Fax: 1-604-822-6089
E-mail: brgreen at interchange.ubc.ca
Website: http://www.botany.ubc.ca/green.html
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