Post-doctoral position in Biochemistry & Structural Biology - Antioxidant Proteins

From: Jamaine SC Davis
Date: 24 February 2012 22:03

Please excuse cross postings and feel free to forward.

Dr. Soares Netto was a NIH Postdoctoral Fellow in the Laboratory of Biochemistry (NHLBI) with Dr. Stadtman from 1992-1996.

Post-doctoral position in Biochemistry and Structural Biology with emphasis on Antioxidant Proteins.

University of Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo, BRAZIL

Further details of the lines of research in my lab, including published articles can be obtained from http://genoma.ib.usp.br/?page_id=1226&lang=en

Fellowship (Nº do processo FAPESP 07/58147-6) - http://www.fapesp.br/oportunidades/255

 

The position is open to Brazilians and foreigners and is included in the thematic project "Biological Aspects of Thiols: Protein Structure, Defense Antioxidant; Signaling and Redox States." The mechanisms by which cells defend themselves against the toxic effects of free radicals and related species are studied in my laboratory. Emphasis is given to a class of proteins called peroxiredoxins, including thioredoxin peroxidases and has a reactive cysteine ​​in their active center. Recently, besides the role in antioxidant defense, these proteins have received increased attention as mediators of redox signaling pathways related to many physiological and pathological processes. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used as a model among other reasons for being amenable to genetic manipulation; to have its genome sequenced and a variety of functional genomics tools are available. We are interested also in the expression of heterologous proteins (eg proteins of mammals or plants) in yeast and to investigate the resulting phenotype. Among other tools, we have a collection of more than four thousand strains, each with a deletion in a gene distinct. We seek to perform multiple experimental approaches, including analysis of crystallographic structures of antioxidant proteins, using the infrastructure of the National Laboratory for Light Sincronton.

The response of bacteria to oxidative stress has also been studied. We began to study the bacteria Escherichia coli and we have several strains with deletions in genes encoding antioxidant proteins. Emphasis has been given to the study of antioxidant proteins of Xylella fastidiosa, as a result of my participation in the project group genome of this organism. Xylella fastidiosa is the causative agent of a large number of diseases in plants such as Citrus Variegated Chlorosis (CVC) that causes annual losses of $ 100 million in Brazilian citrus. In this bacterium, we biochemically characterized for the first time the role of a new class of antioxidant enzymes, called Ohr (organic hydroperoxide Resistance protein) that has no homology with proteins of eukaryotes. Since animals and plants generate oxidants in an attempt to inhibit infection by pathogens, Ohr may be relevant in the pathogenicity of bacteria. 

 

1. REGISTRATION
Registration must take place by e-mail, with the material sent in PDF file format, to Prof. Dr. Luis E. S. Netto, nettoluis@yahoo.com.br, coordinator of the project, preferably before 14/10/2011.

2. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED TO REGISTRATION
Upon registration by e-mail the applicant must submit: a) Curriculum updated. b) Two letters of recommendation from professionals c) A brief description (maximum two pages) of professional experience and motivations as to function.

3. SELECTION
The selection of the scholarship will be held in three stages: a) Analysis of the documentation received, b) assessment of the curricula of qualified candidates.