Proteins are subject to mechanical stress in a variety of biological processes, such as chromosomal segregation, replication, transcription, translation, protein degradation, cell migration, cell adhesion, cell locomotion, mechanotransduction, protein-ligand recognition [Bustamante et al., Annu Rev biochem, 2005].  How proteins sense and respond to mechanical stimuli strongly depends on their mechanical properties and largely varies among different systems. Understanding the basic principles that govern the response to force of different proteins will help us comprehend, at molecular level, the mechanisms by which fundamental biological processes are accomplished and regulated. Advances in single molecule manipulation techniques, such as laser tweezers, have recently made it possible to study the behavior of proteins under mechanical stress. In a work published in Science, Cecconi et al. presented a method to manipulate individual globular proteins using laser tweezers [Cecc!
 oni et al., Science, 2005].  This method allowed Cecconi and co-authors to characterize the mechanical properties of single proteins with unprecedented details and uncover information about their unfolding/refolding processes previously inaccessible to more traditional bulk techniques. These experiments represent a new approach to single molecule manipulation studies and set the stage for lots of new research.

At the Department of Physics of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia we are now starting a new line of research aimed at the characterization of the biophysical properties of proteins (and possibly other biomolecules) using laser tweezers.  We are therefore seeking a motivated PhD student willing to undertake research in the field of single molecule mechanical manipulation studies. The student will first be involved in the development of a dual-beam laser tweezer set-up operating by direct measurement of light momentum [Smith et al., Methods Enzymol, 2003], and then in the characterization of the mechanical properties of single protein molecules using the newly built set-up. Candidates should have a B.S. or M.S. in physics or related fields. The PhD appointment is for a period of three years.

For further details about the project please contact Dr. Ciro Cecconi or Dr. Paolo Facci. Applicants should send their resume (including email address) to Dr. Ciro Cecconi ( ) or Dr. Paolo Facci ( ).