PhD position: Zinc uptake by the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract / Vychytávanie zinku mikroflórou gastrointestinálneho traktu

27 May 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Centrum biovied SAV, v. v. i. / Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences

Department

Department of Digestive Tract Physiology

Research Field

Medical sciences » Veterinary medicine

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Slovakia

Application Deadline

15 Jun 2023 - 12:00 (Europe/Bratislava)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2023

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Study programme: Veterinary morphology and physiology at The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice

Supervisor: RNDr. Dobroslava Bujňáková, PhD.

Annotation: Zinc is the second most important essential trace element for all living organisms, including bacteria. It plays an important role in host immune responses, but also in the regulation of microbial virulence. Animals and microbes cannot produce it naturally, so strategies for obtaining and using it are essential for their survival and development. Zinc levels are in the micromolar range, and its bioavailability is limited because it is bound to proteins. Similar to the case of iron, the hosts sequester zinc systematically and locally in an attempt to prevent its availability to undesirable microflora, the so-called nutritional immunity. Although zinc is essential, its excess is toxic to the cell. Bacterial cells thus need to achieve a delicate balance between ensuring sufficient concentrations of zinc and at the same time preventing its toxic effects. In bacteria, zinc homeostasis is primarily mediated by a network of zinc uptake and efflux pumps. The main goal of the dissertation will be to study the molecular mechanisms of interactions between gastrointestinal microbiota and zinc through these transport systems. Another goal will be to monitor the relationship between zinc uptake, antibiotic resistance, and virulence factors, including biofilm formation and quorum sensing.

Requirements

Research Field

Medical sciences » Veterinary medicine

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

http://ufhz.sav.sk/doktorandske-studium/nove-temy-ds/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institute of Animal Physiology

Country

Slovakia

City

Košice

Postal Code

04001

Street

Šoltésovej 4

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Bratislava

Website

https://www.cbv.savba.sk
http://ufhz.sav.sk

Street

Dúbravská cesta 9

Postal Code

840 05

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED