Master Thesis - Biochemical Modification of Conductive Protein Fibers for the Next-Generation Bioelectronics

Updated: about 1 year ago
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Your Job:

The Master thesis project aims to develop a novel biochemical approaches for the manipulation of conductive cable bacteria fibers. The secret of cable bacteria conductivity is in their periplasmic fibers, which are highly conductive. These fibers should be extracted from the cable bacteria for further processing. Electrical and electrochemical characterizations of these fibers will be performed to investigate their intrinsic properties. Furthermore, chemical cell fixation and fluorescence in situ hybridization protocols will be established and optimized to examine the internal structures of the fibers. In addition, the biocompatibility and long term stability under cell culture conditions will be evaluated. On the long term, these fibers will be used to decorate microelectrodes for the recording of action potentials from electrogenic cells.

Your tasks will include:

  • Performing and optimizing protocols for the chemical extraction of biological fibers and fixation of bacterial cells connected to microelectrodes
  • Modification of microcelectrode surfaces with conducting protein fibers and their morphological characterization
  • Electrical and electrochemical characterization of native and engineered conductive protein fibers
  • Testing the stability and biocompatibility of the protein fibers for electrogenic cells
  • Establishing and maintaining cell cultures
  • Communication with other scientists from the EU project

Further information on the Microbial Electricity background:
https://www.microbial-electricity.eu/

Project Link:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pringle-eic-pathfinder-94107323b/

Your Profile:

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) chemistry, biotechnology, material sciences, physical chemistry or biology
  • Interest in the field of Bioelectronics
  • Ability to communicate with scientists and technicians from various disciplines
  • Good written and spoken English
  • Independent and analytical way of working
  • Advantageous, yet not mandatory, are experiences in programming and data analysis
  • Passion for science

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

  • An interesting and socially relevant topic for your thesis with future-oriented themes
  • Ideal conditions for gaining practical experience alongside your studies
  • Multifaceted work in an interdisciplinary and international setting, as well as a cooperative work environment
  • Fantastic research equipment facilities
  • International collaboration with the scientific groups from the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Cyprus
  • Forschungszentrum Jülich located closely to Belgium and the Netherlands with strong links to the ABCD Region (Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, and Düsseldorf) which is one of the leading high-tech regions in Europe.


We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.



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