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Biophysics (12.08.2021)
High pressure studies of protein structure on the SOLCRYS beam line at the SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Center
Pursuant to § 7 sections 1 and 3 of Resolution No. 5/I/2020 of the Senate of the Jagiellonian University of 29 January 2020 on: the rules of recruitment for the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences at the Jagiellonian University in the academic year 2020/2021, the Director of the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences announces a competition for 1 doctoral student/s with a scholarship financed from the research project funds as part of the PhD study programme biophysics.
Within the PRELUDIUM BIS project entitled High pressure studies of protein structure on the SOLCRYS beam line at the SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Center, a commission set up at the School will conduct recruitment for the PhD study programme biophysics in the academic year 2020/21.
The project manager, prof. dr hab. Maciej Kozak offers an opportunity to complete the doctorates in the following area: High pressure studies of protein structure on the SOLCRYS beam line at the SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Center.
Detailed information on the project is provided by the project manager - Prof. dr hab. Maciej Kozak (ma.kozak@uj.edu.pl) or dr inż. Joanna Sławek (joanna.slawek@uj.edu.pl).
An abstract of the project is attached to this announcement.
After the interviews and the evaluation of the candidates, the Chairman of the committee presents a report to the Director containing a list of candidates recommended for admission to the school as part of the research project.
Schedule of the competition:
- Opening of the competition: 26.08.2021
- Application submission deadline: 12.09.2021
- Entrance exams: 15-16.09.2021
- Announcement of results: 20.09.2021
- Enrolment: 22-23.09.2021
- Enrolment (additional): 24-27.09.2021
Application documents:
- CV
- copy of the Master's degree (or equivalent) diploma
- a certificate of average grade in first cycle studies and a certificate of average grade inthe first year of supplementary master studies (second cycle) or for candidates who have completed five-year master studies a certificate of average grade in the last year of studies excluding the last year of studies
- letter of motivation
- copies of documents confirming competences and scientific achievements.
Please send your application documents to the project manager, prof. dr hab. Maciej Kozak at: ma.kozak@uj.edu.pl and upload them into the Online Application System (irk.uj.edu.pl).
Documents required for entry within PhD study programme biophysics:
- the original OAS application printed out from the system, containing a photograph;
- a photocopy and the original for inspection of: a diploma or other document of graduation of a higher education institution abroad entitling the holder to undertake education in order to obtain the degree of doctor in which it was issued, recognised as equivalent to the relevant Polish master's diploma, and if, by the date of entry, the candidate does not yet hold a master's diploma document, a certificate issued by the higher education institution confirming that the candidate has passed the diploma examination, containing information on the right to take up education in order to obtain the degree of doctor in whose system the institution operates, with the grades given from the diploma examination, from the diploma thesis and on the diploma (for graduates of the second degree studies also a certificate containing these grades from the completed first degree studies);
- a photocopy and the original for inspection: a diploma supplement;
- for inspection: identity document (passport in case of foreigners);
- copies of documents confirming competences and scientific achievements,
- originals of all other documents provided at the registration stage in the form of a scan.
In the event of exposure to harmful, noxious or hazardous factors, the applicant will, at the time of registration, be referred for a medical examination by an occupational medicine physician. The candidate shall be obliged to deliver, within the time limit set by the programme manager, a medical certificate confirming the absence of contraindications to take up education (applies only to some PhD study programmes).
Higher education diplomas awarded abroad should:
1. bear an apostille clause if the issuing country is covered by the Convention abolishing the requirement legalisation for foreign public documents, done at The Hague on 5 October 1961 (Journal of Laws of 2005, No. 112, item 938) or
2. be subjected to legalisation, in other cases.
Any document submitted in a language other than Polish or English must be accompanied by a certified translation into Polish or English.
Insurance:
Each doctoral student, including a foreigner, admitted to the doctoral school is obligatorily subject to health insurance if he/she is not covered by such insurance on other grounds (e.g. employment relationship, contract of mandate, business activity, insured as a family member under 26 years of age, as the spouse of an insured person). The health insurance contribution is paid by the Jagiellonian University and is financed from the State budget. In addition, a doctoral student receiving a doctoral scholarship is subject to compulsory retirement and disability insurance and accident insurance.
IMPORTANT:
A person admitted to the doctoral school begin education and acquire doctoral student rights upon taking the oath. The Department of Personal Affairs reports each doctoral student admitted to the School to compulsory health and social insurance at the commencement of education. Until that time foreign candidates are obliged to cover the costs of insurance for the time of travel, treatment, etc. individually.
Abstract:
One of the important and still valid problems is the maintaining of the spatial structure of biological macromolecules (nucleic acids or proteins) at high pressures. In particular, this problem concerns protein enzymes and their potential biotechnology applications. For these enzymes, it is important to maintain both the quaternary (multimer) and the tertiary structure under extreme conditions, where both the decay of oligomer structures and the spatial structure can potentially take place.
The aim of this project is to investigate the high-pressure behavior of selected model proteins (xylanase, glucose isomerase) both in the crystal and in solution. The xylose/glucose isomerase from Streptomyces rubiginosus is a tetramer made up of four identical subunits (homotetramer) and catalyses the reversible isomerization reaction of simple sugars (xylose and glucose). Another enzyme selected for research is the single-domain protein - xylanase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum, which catalyses the reaction of random hydrolysis of internal (beta-1,4-D-xyloside) bonds in xylane, which is the main component of plant hemicellulose.
The structures of these proteins have already been known, but the planned high-pressure studies of these structures are already new. These proteins will be crystallized and obtained crystals will be used for diffraction experiments at high pressures (up to 2 GPa), using synchrotron radiation, will be carried out. The obtained diffraction data will be used to solve and refine their crystal structures. Parallel to diffraction studies, analyzes of the structure of these proteins in solution under high pressures will be carried out using the technique of small-angle scattering of synchrotron radiation. This method will allow investigation of potential structural changes in xylanase and glucose isomerase occurring in solution.
X-ray diffraction and SAXS experiments will be conducted both on beam lines in European synchrotrons and at the National Synchrotron Radiation Centre "SOLARIS", Jagiellonian University in Krakow. Currently, in NSRC "SOLARIS" is constructed the new beam line SOLCRYS dedicated to protein crystallography (PX) and small-angle scattering of synchrotron radiation (SAXS) experiments. At SOLCRYS beam line will also be able to study the structure of biomacromolecules at high pressures. As part of the SAXS and PX studies planned in this project, it will be also possible to verify the research capabilities of the SOLCRYS beam line.
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