Dear colleagues,
Please pass the following announcement to anyone who is interested in these
positions. Thank you very much.
Sheng Yang He
Assistant Professor
DOE Plant Research Laboratory
S-250 Plant Biology Bldg.
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1312
Phone: 517-353-9181
Fax: 517-353-9168
E-mail: hes at pilot.msu.edu
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Postdoctoral Positions - Bacterial Type III Secretion Systems
Two postdoctoral positions are available immediately in the laboratory of
Sheng Yang He at the Plant Research Laboratory, Michigan State University to
study a type III protein secretion system (the Hrp secretion system) in plant
pathogenic bacteria. The first position pertains to further characterization
of a hrp-dependent pilus (the Hrp pilus) produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv.
tomato DC3000, which infects tomato and Arabidopsis. The Hrp pilus is required
for the bacterium to elicit resistance responses in nonhost plants and to cause
disease in susceptible host plants. It is hypothesized that the Hrp pilus is
directly or indirectly involved in the delivery of bacteria virulence and
avirulence proteins into the plant cell. The successful candidate will
characterize the structural proteins and assembly of the Hrp pilus, analyze its
ultrastructural details, and investigate possible interactions between the Hrp
pilus structural proteins and virulence and avirulence proteins that presumably
traverse the Hrp secretion apparatus. Successful accomplishment of these
proposed experiments would contribute to our understanding of how a prokaryotic
organism sends its virulence factors into a eukaryotic cell.
The second position will investigate molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of
Erwinia amylovora, which causes severe fire blight disease on apple and pear
and contains a type III secretion system. The ultimate goal of this project is
to design novel approaches to disarm this pathogen through genetic engineering.
It is expected that the initial phase of the project will be focused on
understanding bacterial factors that are involved in causing fire blight
symptoms.
In addition to working on bacterial genetics, the candidates are encouraged
to participate in projects on plant genetics. Specifically, he/she will be
able to explore new ways of studying plant resistance genes and plant cell
death associated with disease resistance.
For both positions, a strong background in molecular biology is essential.
Experience in protein work is desirable, but is not required. The Plant
Research Laboratory at Michigan State University offers an excellent and
dynamic environment for research. Any interested applicant should send a
curriculum vitae and a letter stating her/his research interest and arrange to
have three references sent to Sheng Yang He, Plant Research Laboratory, S-250
Plant Biology Bldg., Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824.
Michigan State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
For further information and related publications, please call SYH at
(517)-353-9181 or send messages to hes at pilot.msu.edu.
