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PhD Position for the Biochemical and Molecular
Analysis of the Cell Wall Glyco(prote)ome of
Lactobacillus buchneri
Dept. of NanoBiotechnology NanoGlycobiology Group
Time schedule Start February-April 2012
Duration 3 years
Short summary of project Lactobacillus buchneri
strain CD034 possesses a complex cell wall
architecture. The main focus of the work lies
particularly on the cha-racterization of the
glycosylated cell wall constituents of this
organism, such as the two-dimensionally
crystallizing S-layer glycoprotein, a puta-tive
secondary cell wall polymer (SCWP) involved in
S-layer anchoring, and the identification of a
predicted exopolysaccharide (EPS) which is known
from other lactic acid bacteria. In this context
it should be ment-ioned that between S-layer
carrying and S-layer deficient bacteria
strain-specific differences may exist regarding
architecture, composit-ion and function of
specific cell wall constituents. The presence of
an S-layer glycoprotein on this GRAS organism,
which makes it an interesting candidate for
possible future glycan-related medical and/or
biotechnological applications.

• Research goals
• Bioinformatic analysis of the genome of L.
  buchneri CD034 for loci harboring genes involved
  in the biosynthesis of glycosylated cell wall
  components of L. buchneri CD034 (in collaboration
  with Prof. R. Grabherr, IAM, BOKU).

Schematic presentation of the cell wall of
Lactobacillus strains with focus on glyco-sylated
components

• Expression and purification of selected cell
  wall components from L. buchneri CD034.
• Structural and functional characterization of
  glycosylated cell wall components of L. buchneri
  CD034 (in collaboration with Prof. P. Kosma and
  Prof. F. Altmann, Chemie, BOKU).

Requirements The candidate must hold a MSc
degree and should have a sound background in
molecular biology, micro-biology, biochemistry.
Practical experience in the field of glycobiology
is of advantage but not mandatory. The highly
motivated candidate should be an excellent team
player with the ability to work independently in
an interdisciplinary environment.
We offer Motivating scientific environment at
the Vienna Institute of Biotechnology, cutting
edge research in nanoglycobiology, weekly
seminars, participation in workshops and
international conferences. Stays in partner
laboratories abroad are possible. Funding
opportunity according to the guidelines of FWF
(http//www.fwf.ac.at/de/projects/einzelprojekte.h
tml). Possibility of embedding the PhD thesis
into the International PhD Programme BioToP
(http//biotop.boku.ac.at/).
Applicants Please e-mail your application with
motivation, full CV and references along with
contact addresses to Ao.Univ. Prof. Dr. Paul
MESSNER Department für NanoBiotechnologie,
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Muthgasse 11,
1190 Wien e-mail paul.messner_at_boku.ac.at Phone
47654-2202