Master Thesis or Praktikum at the LMU Biomedical Center

Background

Accurate chromosome segregation is essential for genome integrity, and chromosome segregation errors are hallmarks of cancer. A centromere is a region of specialized chromatin that organizes a large network of proteins called kinetochore, which generates attachment sites of duplicated chromosomes and spindle microtubules during cell division. Hence, accurate chromosome segregation requires orches trated and spatial action of many structural proteins, signaling path ways, as well as dedicated centromeric chromatin factors.

What will you be working on?

We have recently identified a highly conserved ATPase which accumulates on centromeres in a model organism fission yeast. In human cells, this factor is expressed in various can cers. However its molecular roles are unknown. The goal of this project is to establish molecular function(s) of this protein at centromeres and during chromosome segregation and to unveil mechanisms that drive its centromeric recruitment. As the project is very broad and novel, its direction can be adapted to student interests (e.g., with a stronger focus on biochemistry, genomics or cell biology).

Techniques you will be using:

• Genetics and molecular cloning
• CRISPR/Cas9
• ChIP-QPCR and ChIP-seq
• RT-QPCR
• Microscopy and live-cell imaging
• Various protein-protein interaction assays

Contact
If interested, please send me an email at: magdalena.murawska@bmc.med.lmu.de
You can also stop by and visit me in the LMU, BMC, Physiological Chemistry, Room NB02.024; Großhaderner Str. 9, 82152 Martinsried
For more information, visit: https://www.physiolchemie.abi.med.uni-muenchen.de/research/murawska/index.html