Master student: Cell-free synthesis and functional screening of G-protein coupled receptors

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany and is a leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) and its Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB) focusses on innovative ideas in food and environmental analytics, diagnostics, drug development and process technologies.

At Fraunhofer IZI-BB, we are looking for a master's degree student starting as of April 2025 to work on G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs account for approximately 35% of all approved drug targets. These seven transmembrane cell-surface receptor proteins play a critical role in regulating a diverse array of cellular processes. They accomplish this by converting extracellular stimuli, such as hormones, neurotransmitters, and sensory inputs, into intracellular signals that regulate cellular functions and behaviors. Despite their popularity, the synthesis of these membrane proteins is often difficult, and they are classified as difficult-to-express proteins. Challenges encountered especially handling these membrane proteins are protein yields, protein aggregation, orientation issues, vesicles aggregation limiting its handling while optimizing the functionality. A promising approach to simplifying their production and screening for their binding ligands is to synthesize them using cell-free protein synthesis. We would like to hire a master's student to work on optimizing and standardizing conditions for functional analysis of GPCRs. Here in this project, we intend to use in-house standardized cell-free lysates for the synthesis and functional characterization of GPCRs. The current focus will be on two important GPCRs: which are crucial for regulating body movement, blood flow, immunity, and development.

Ihre Aufgaben

In this project, you will optimize and standardize the functionality of both cell-free derived synthesized GPCRs. Therefore, the following steps will be performed:

• Synthesis of the receptors in eukaryotic cell-free systems

• Characterization and processing of protein incorporated vesicles for functional binding assays

• Radioactive ligand binding assays from synthesized GPCRS (both from cell-free derived vesicles and comparison with vesicles from cell-membrane)

• Fluorescent binding assays for both receptors,

• An innovative and modern working environment, equipped with the latest laboratory and equipment technology

• Room for independent work

• A motivating and collegial working atmosphere

  We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

  With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.

Ihr Profil

We are looking for highly motivated students for a creative research task. We would like the students to have experiences in the following:

• Enrolled in a master's degree program in the fields of biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or similar scientific fields

• Knowledge in basic molecular and biochemical methods

• Interest in working with membrane proteins especially understanding the vesicles

• Experience in bioinformatics tools

• Working independently and as well interactively in a team

Kontakt

Dr. Srujan Kumar Dondapati Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses (IZI-BB) Department of Cell-free and Cell-based Bioproduction

Am Mühlenberg 13, 14476 Potsdam, Germany E-Mail: srujan.dondapati@izi-bb.fraunhofer.de Tel. +49 331 58187-321

Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Branch Bioanalytics and Bioprocesses

www.izi-bb.fraunhofer.de