项目介绍

2024年10月19日

Function

Are you passionate about cytoplasmic genetics in plants? Excited to uncover the mechanisms underlying the maternal inheritance of plastids and mitochondria? If so, we invite you to join our newly established Cytoplasmic Genetics Group at Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

We are currently seeking two PhD students who are enthusiastic about contributing to the ERC-funded research: “Control of Cytoplasmic Inheritance in Plants.”

Our research
Plastids and mitochondria are two key organelles responsible for energy conversion and metabolism in plants. To perform these tasks, plastids and mitochondria possess their own genetic material (known as cytoplasmic genomes), which encodes proteins necessary for essential cellular processes such as photosynthesis and respiration. Since the de novo biogenesis of plastids and mitochondria is not possible, these organelles must be inherited from one generation to the next. Therefore, the proper inheritance of these organelles, along with their cytoplasmic genomes, is crucial for the survival of the plant lineage. Interestingly, the inheritance patterns of cytoplasmic genomes differ significantly from nuclear DNA. Unlike the nuclear genome, which is inherited from both parents, plastid and mitochondrial genomes are passed down exclusively from the mother. This unique phenomenon of maternal inheritance has been known for decades, yet the underlying mechanisms and genes that regulate this process remain largely unknown.

Our research focuses on uncovering the mechanisms of cytoplasmic inheritance in plants. By utilizing genetics, molecular biology, and advanced microscopy, we aim to address the following questions surrounding plastid and mitochondrial inheritance:

• What are the mechanisms driving maternal inheritance?
• How do environmental factors affect inheritance patterns?
• Do plastids and mitochondria function as an asexual genetic system?

A comprehensive understanding of this subject will allow us to manipulate and control the inheritance of cytoplasmic genomes. This achievement will ultimately offer significant potential for agricultural and breeding applications. For more information about the research, please visit our homepage and read the related publication: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-022-01323-7

Your Tasks
In this call, we are looking for two PhD candidates for the projects derived from the ERC-funded research “Control of Cytoplasmic Inheritance in Plants”.

For PhD Project 1, you will

• Develop the first experimental platform to identify and characterise both genetic and environmental factors that regulate plastid inheritance in Arabidopsis thaliana.

For PhD project 2, you will

• Investigate the mechanisms and cellular processes that regulate plastid and mitochondrial inheritance in Nicotiana tabacum.

For both PhD positions, you will also

• Acquire expertise in research techniques related to genetics, physiology, molecular biology, and microscopy.
• Contribute to the teaching of Bachelor’s and Master’s students.
• Attend workshops and conferences to present your findings and further your development as a well-rounded scientist.

Function Requirements

• You hold an MSc degree in Plant Science, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
• You have experience in (plant) molecular biology approaches.
• Experience with Arabidopsis thaliana and/or Nicotiana tabacum, including skills in crossing and tissue culture, is advantageous.
• Experience with confocal microscopy is a plus.
• You are creative and equipped with problem-solving skills.
• You are an enthusiastic team player with strong communication skills and proficiency in English. (For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Under certain conditions, you may be required to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here).

Contactinformation

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Kin Pan Chung via this email: kinpan.chung@wur.nl

For more information about the procedure, please contact psg.vacaturemeldingen@wur.nl.