The projects will be supervised by one of our faculty (Prof. Poolman, Prof. Slotboom or Dr. Belyy) together with a group member. If you are interested in any of the proposed projects, you can contact the group member directly (the first name under “Supervisors”). Please state your MSc/BSc program, your preferred time period and attach a short CV (indicating also research projects or internships).
In case you did not find anything suitable from the proposals below, you can also ask any of our group members if they might have a project for you.
Master’s Thesis Opportunity
Topic: Directed evolution of the arginine synthase ArcE for ATP production in the synthetic cell
Group: Poolman Lab, University of Groningen
Start and duration: Flexible
We are looking for a motivated and curious MSc student to join our project on bottom-up synthetic biology, focusing on optimizing ATP metabolism in synthetic cells.
What you bring:
- High motivation, initiative, and curiosity
- Preferred but not required: Experience in microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry
What you will learn:
Biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology techniques, including:
- Enzyme expression, purification, and in vitro characterization
- Cloning and strain engineering
- Working with microbes
- Directed evolution techniques
Project description:
This project aims to characterize and improve the ATP-producing enzyme ArcE for ATP generation in a synthetic cell. The work involves: 1) cloning, expressing, and in vitro characterization of ArcE, and 2) in vivo testing and directed evolution of the enzyme in a previously created E. coli selection strain.
If you are excited about synthetic biology, enzymology, and metabolic engineering, and want to develop strong lab skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Master’s Thesis Opportunity
Topic: Directed evolution of an arginine/ putrescine antiporter for energy metabolism in synthetic cells
Group: Poolman Lab, University of Groningen
Start and duration: Flexible
We are looking for a motivated and curious MSc student to join our project on bottom-up synthetic biology, focusing on engineering an arginine/ putrescine antiporter involved in energy generation of a synthetic cell.
What you bring:
- High motivation, initiative, and curiosity
- Preferred but not required: Experience in microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry
What you will learn:
Biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and microbiology techniques, including:
- Membrane protein expression, purification, and in vitro characterization
- Cloning and strain engineering
- Working with microbes
- Directed evolution techniques
Project description:
This project aims to engineer existing antiporters into a new-to-nature arginine/ putrescine antiporter. The work involves: 1) cloning, expressing, and characterizing candidate antiporters, 2) rational engineering of candidate proteins, 3) in vivo directed evolution of candidate proteins.
If you are excited about synthetic biology, enzymology, and metabolic engineering, and want to develop strong lab skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, we’d love to hear from you.