PRE2023-Reconstituting division in minimal cell-like systems (PID2022-136951NB-I00)

RECONSTITUTING DIVISION IN MINIMAL CELL-LIKE SYSTEMS Cell division is one of the most fundamental processes of life. Therefore, the reconstitution of minimal machinery for autonomous cell division in artificial cell systems from the bottom up constitutes one of the main challenges of synthetic biology. We will combine our expertise in biochemistry and biophysics of different membrane systems and protein machines to design modular reaction environments that resemble the physicochemical attributes of a cell and its essential substructures to support cell division. Significantly, we will couple the assembly and dynamics of a division machinery consisting of a contractile ring and an actively segregated nucleoid mimicry. Achieving these goals will be an essential step towards designing life-like synthetic cells to contribute to our fundamental understanding of the basic mechanisms of life. These insights will open novel horizons to translate them into resources to curb bacterial proliferation and constitute a powerful platform for engineering systems with novel functionalities of biotechnological added value. ------------------------------------- - Candidate's profile: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Biotechnology or Biomedical - Engineering. - Previous experience in protein/membrane biochemistry/biophysics will be valued - Interested applicants should contact before 15 September 2023 to Germán Rivas (grivas@cib.csic.es) & Silvia Zorrilla (silvia@cib.csic.es),