Missions

The candidate will characterize the interaction of pneumococcal penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) with peptidoglycan fragments. Pneumococcus is an important human pathogen that resists penicillin through the expression of peptidoglycan transpeptidases (PBPs) with reduced affinity. These enzymes retain their transpeptidase activity without reacting with penicillin. The interaction of PBPs with penicillin is well known, while their interaction with peptidoglycan remains unknown.

Activités

- Producing and purifying proteins (recombinant PBPs)
- Screen conditions of crystallogenesis
- Develop molecular interaction measurement methods adapted to peptidoglycan
- Measure protein/ligand interactions (kinetics, affinity)
- Measure antibiotic activity against different strains of pneumococcus
- Keep laboratory notebooks and archive data and resources
- Present results at laboratory meetings
- Participate in writing publications
- Apply and enforce hygiene and safety rules in the field

Compétences

- Biochemistry (protein purification)
- In vitro molecular interactions
- Enzymology
- Microbiology (bacterial culture)
- English (written/oral) level B1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Organizational skills, rigor and reliability
- Good interpersonal skills, team spirit
- Good written and oral communication skills

Contexte de travail

Located on the Grenoble Science Park (ESRF/ILL/EMBL/IBS), the Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS) is a major national and international player in the field of integrated structural biology. As a research center, technical platform, host site and scientific training center, the IBS is dedicated to developing research in structural biology, a key field for understanding fundamental biological mechanisms. It is supported by 12 state-of-the-art platforms.
As a joint research unit (CEA-CNRS-UGA), the IBS is made up of 20 research groups, each offering a multi-disciplinary approach at the frontiers of biology, physics and chemistry, in line with 3 research axes. Nearly 320 people work here, including researchers, PhD students, engineers and technicians, in a multicultural and international environment.
The new recruit will join the Pneumococcus Group, which works on the bacterial wall of pneumococcus (https://www.ibs.fr/en/research/microbiology-infection-and-immunity/pneumococcus-group-c-morlot/).

Contraintes et risques

None

The activity will be carried out in either French or English, although non-French-speaking candidates are expected to make efforts to learn the basics of French to facilitate communication and integration in the Institute.