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University of the Western Cape, Cape Town
Institute for Microbial Biotechnology
and Metagenomics (IMBM)
Post Doctoral Position
This position is available immediately, for a one-year fixed-term contract
period (reviewed annually).
Project title: Characterization of psychrotrophic microbial
communities in Antarctic desert soils
Antarctic desert soils are rich sources of novel cold active microorganisms.
Researchers will join a team, in collaboration with other scientists from
universities in New Zealand and Hong Kong, to investigate the phylogenetic and
culturable diversity of groups of industrially important microorganisms
(including actinomycetes and cyanobacteria). Other aspects of this program
include studies of gene expression and of key nutrient cycling processes in
specialized Antarctic habitats. There may be the possibility of an Antarctic
field trip later in the year.
To make a formal application, please send a full curriculum vitae and a
covering letter motivating your application (including the names, telephone/fax
numbers and e-mail/postal details of three contactable referees) to Professor
Don Cowan, Director: Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics (dcowan@uwc.ac.za)
or Dr Marla Tuffin, Deputy Director (ituffin@uwc.ac.za).
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University of the Western Cape
The Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics [IMBM]
Post-Graduate Research Projects
Department of Biotechnology
University of the Western Cape
Cape Town, South Africa
The following research projects are available in 2010. Enquiries should be
forwarded to Professor Don Cowan, Director, IMBM
(imbm.uwc@gmail.com). Please note that
PhD and Masters bursaries can only be awarded to South African citizens.
PhD and MSc Projects
i. Technologies for production of biofuels: The enzymology of lignocellulose
degradation
IMBM has a well established research platform in the field of biofuels research,
funded by the NRF, PlantBio and several industrial partners. Several projects
involving the discovery, expression and characterization of lignocellulosic
degrading enzymes, identified using metagenomic and high throughput screening
methods, are available.
ii. Technologies for production of biofuels: Understanding the physiological
responses of ethanologenic microorganisms to solvent and inhibitors.
This project involves the use of proteomics methods to investigate the effect of
solvents and growth inhibitors on fermentation performance and gene expression.
iii. Molecular ecology of Ethiopian and Kenyan haloalkaline lake systems.
In collaboration with researchers from the Universities of Bergen (Norway),
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and the Jomo Kenyatta Technical University (Kenya), we
are studying the diversity of culturable and unculturable bacteria in the high
salt, high pH Rift Valley lakes of eastern Arfica.
iv. Characterization of actinomycetes in Western Cape Fynbos
Cape fynbos biome is internationally acknowledged as one of the biodiversity
‘hotspots’ of the world. This research programme focuses on the diversity of the
terrestrial actinomycetes in this unique and specialised environment. The
diversity of these organisms will be determined by using conventional isolation
methods together with modern molecular technologies.
v. Characterization of psychrotrophic microbial communities in Antarctic
desert soils
Antarctic desert soils are rich sources of novel cold active microorganisms.
Researchers will join a team, in collaboration with other scientists from
universities in New Zealand and Hong Kong, to investigate the phylogenetic and
culturable diversity of groups of industrially important microorganisms
(including actinomycetes and cyanobacteria). Other aspects of this program
include studies of gene expression and of key nutrient cycling processes in
specialized Antarctic habitats.
vi. Metagenomic mining and characterization of novel extremophilic enzymes
The researcher will join a team working on metagenomic methods for identifying
new enzymes. The project involves the preparation and screening of fosmid
libraries, sub-cloning and expression of selected genes, and detailed
structure-function studies on candidate proteins.
vii. Plant-associated bacteria as tools for crop improvement
The project will involve a phylogenetic survey of rhizospheric microbial
populations of major crop species, the attempted culturing of target species,
and the development of isolates for constitutive expression of plant-growth
promoters.
viii. Assembly and annotation of novel Antarctic microbial genomes
We have recently obtained Illumina sequence data from the genomes a several
novel Antarctic microbial isolates, including a halo-alkalo-psychrophilic
Nesterenkonia isolate. The project, in collaboration with Prof Alan Christoffels
of the SA National Bioinformatics Institute, will involve a team of researchers
undertaking the completion, assembly and annotation of the genomes.
ix. Structure-function studies with nitrile hydratases and amidases.
These project are for students interested in enzymology, biocatalysis, site
specific mutations and structural analysis. In collaboration with Prof Trevor
Sewell, we aim to use mutagenesis to modify the active sites of several enzymes
implicated in the degradation of nitriles. One of our objectives is to introduce
enantioselectivity into nitrile hydratases using enzyme evolution methods.
x. Endemic endophytic microorganisms: Diversity and Gene Mining
Endophytes (non-pathogenic microorganisms adapted to life inside plant tissues)
are a poorly understood group. In collaboration with several other research
teams, we aim to expand our understanding of the endophyte diversity of Cape
endemic plant species, and to use metagenomic methods to access potentially
valuable genes and enzymes from this important genetic resource.
xi. Biology of extremophilic phage
This project is designed to investigate the more basic and fundamental aspects
of phage diversity in extreme environments, particularly in halo-alkaline
samples. This will involve the isolation and functional and genetic
characterization of the phages.
Professor DA Cowan, Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics,
Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535,
South Africa www.imbm.co.za
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Rhodes University
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology &
Biotechnology
Mycorrhizal Research Group
Please see attached pdf.
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