Thanks to all our readers who have submitted items for inclusion in this section. Can I remind you that we advertise readers’ items at the interface of the physical and life sciences free of charge and would welcome any contributions that workers in this area might want to share in this section concerning studentships, job vacancies, courses or conferences, book reviews, or news about recent publications that might be of interest for our co-workers corner.
Please send to
Dr C A Rosser
Rye St Antony School
Pullens Lane
Oxford, OX3 0BY, United Kingdom
Email: crosser@ryestantony.co.uk
GRADUATE STUDIES IN BILBAO, SPAIN
The University of the Basque Country offers Master and PhD degrees in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine. The 1-year Master degree (60 ECTS) consists of lecture courses (30 ECTS) and a research project (30 ECTS).
No knowledge of Spanish required.
Info at: www.masterbiologiamolecular.ehu.es
MSc in Chemical Biology
Subject to approval by Cardiff University, this course is expected to be available from September 2009.
Duration
1 year full-time, 3 years part-time
Entry Requirements:
Suitable for graduates in chemistry or a related discipline, e.g. chemistry, biology, microbiology, chemical engineering, physics, pharmacy, pharmacology and biochemistry, with a first- or second-class UK Honours degree or equivalent.
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate competency in English language (at least 6.5 in IELTS or a TOEFL score of 580 or 232 CBT).
This programme is currently Subject to Validation. Applications can be submitted at this point using our paper-based application form, which you can download from www.cardiff.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgapply.
Once the programme has been made available for online applications, you can access the Apply Online link from the above webpage.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Dr. Thomas Tatchell
Tel: +44-2920-870759
Email: TatchellT@cardiff.ac.uk
School Website: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/chemy
Doctoral Training Centre—Chemical Biology Centre, Imperial College London
The Chemical Biology Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) was set up in 2003 as a result of the innovative lifesciences interface programme established by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to ‘empower the engineering and physical sciences communities to engage with the life sciences.’
We aim to train physical sciences postgraduates to carry out cutting edge multidisciplinary research at the interface between the physical and biomedical sciences.
PhD studentships are restricted to UK students with a good degree in the physical sciences (2.1 or above (or equivalent)). EU Students who have studied continuously in the UK for more than 3 years may also be eligible. Non-UK students are welcome to apply if they are able to self fund the 4-year programme.
MRes + PhD Chemical Biology of Health & Disease (1 + 3 years)
Application for the 4-year MRes + PhD studentships are now open. The projects available are:
Multiscale modelling of protein–protein interactions in cyclin-dependent kinases
Exploring protein lipidation in living systems: new mechanisms and novel drug targets
Cell wall biogenesis in Clostridium difficile: chemical genetics and live cell imaging
Functions and mechanisms for membrane nanotubes probed by live-cell Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy
Targeting protein aggregation at the single molecule level
Development of an Atomic Force Microscopy method for measuring interactions between proteins in apposing lipid bilayer membranes
Solid-State Nanopores as a New Tool for Probing Protein/Protein Binding Equilibria
A label-free approach to probing post-translational modifications at the single-protein level
The MAPK interactome and its role in hypertrophic responses studied by single cell proteomics
http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/chemicalbiologycentre/doctoraltrainingcentre/studentships
The Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology—UCL/Birkbeck
This in-depth interdisciplinary programme is funded by the BBSRC and provides world-class PhD training in Structural, Computational, Cell and Chemical Biology. The programme is run jointly by the ISMB at the following departments:
Department of Biological Sciences, at Birkbeck
Research Department of Structural and Molecular Biology at UCL
Department of Chemistry at UCL
http://www.ismb.lon.ac.uk/bbsrc_studentships.html
Targeted Therapeutics Doctoral Training Centre—School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham
This is the first EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre to be established in direct collaboration with an industry partner, and combines an industrial perspective with fundamental, multidisciplinary and pharmaceutically focused research using the most modern instrumentation and facilities.
PhD programmes in the Centre are of 4 year's duration, with the equivalent to 1 year's Masters level training and 3 year's doctoral level research.
Expert training is provided across the key areas of pharmaceutical science beginning with an introductory module in Targeted Therapeutics, followed by a series of short (8-week) projects, two within the School of Pharmacy and one at an AstraZeneca site. Each rotation is in a different research group to enable students to benefit fully from the breadth of research being conducted in the School and at AstraZeneca.
On completion of the initial training, specific PhD projects will be undertaken. These are intended to be highly multidisciplinary, drawing on aspects of pharmaceutical nanotechnology, materials science, process technology, biopharmaceuticals and advanced physical, mathematical and life sciences. Specific topics might include:
Chemistry and characterisation of new drug delivery systems
Biophysical analysis of advanced dosage forms
Cellular trafficking of drugs and drug carriers
Biochemical interactions and (sub)cellular targeting
High throughout formulation screening
Novel manufacturing methodologies
These projects will be guided by a principal supervisor at Nottingham and a second based at AstraZeneca. Further co-supervisors may be involved as many projects will cross traditional subject boundaries, including disciplines beyond those in the School of Pharmacy. There is also a second component of industry training related to the specific PhD research project which will typically involve up to 3 months in the laboratory of the nominated industrial supervisor. Interactions with other scientists within the Centre, School, University and AstraZeneca will be additionally encouraged and supported through regular meetings, seminars and an annual workshop.
The environment for the Doctoral Training Centre is unique, challenging and stimulating. Stipends will reflect the status of the DTC: the centre is funded equally by AstraZeneca and EPSRC and the studentships will meet the full cost of tuition fees and pay a stipend for 4 years starting at £14,800 p.a. Travel funds are also provided to help DTC members attend high level conferences. These studentships are available to Home and EU students only.
To apply to join this exciting initiative, contact the Project Officer for The EPSRC/AstraZeneca DTC (Dr Christina Grindon, School of Pharmacy, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, United Kingdom, email: Chris.Grindon@nottingham.ac.uk).
For further information on potential projects within the DTC or for an informal discussion, please contact Dr Cameron Alexander (DTC Operational Director, Tel: +44 (0)115 8467678, email:cameron.alexander@nottingham.ac.uk).
The Faculty of Life Sciences Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology
Post doc within Biochemistry/Cell Biophysics
Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology wishes to appoint two post docs within Biochemistry and Cell Biophysics from March 1, 2010 or as soon as possible thereafter. Position 1 is for 3 years and position 2 is for 2 years.
Position 1: Analysis of membrane pumps by reconstitution into vesicles and nano discs
The post doc's duties will include research on the reconstitution of membrane pumps and their regulatory components into vesicles and nano discs. The post may include teaching to a limited extent. The 3-year postdoctoral position is available immediately.
The appointee should have qualifications within the following areas:
Biochemistry, biophysics and/or membrane cell biology.
Purification and analysis of membrane proteins.
Characterization of ATP-driven pumps such as P-type ATPases or ABC transporters.
In addition, the appointee should be highly skilled in general molecular biological techniques including vector constructions, cloning, and PCR.
The successful candidate will be embedded in the new research program on Synthetic Biology at University of Copenhagen and Nano-Science Center, University of Copenhagen.
Position 2: Regulation and functional significance of membrane pumps involved in lipid transport and vesicle biogenesis
The post doc's duties will include research on P-type ATPases involved in lipid transport and vesicle formation. The project is aimed at undertaking an interdisciplinary effort to reveal the molecular function and regulation of these ATPases in yeast, mammalian cells and/or plant cells. The post may include teaching to a limited extent. The 2-year postdoctoral position is available immediately. For information in greater detail, please see, for example, Poulsen et al. (2008) Plant Cell 20, 658–676 and Xu et al. (2008) J Cell Sci. 122:2866–2876.
The appointee should have qualifications within the following areas:
Biochemistry, biophysics and/or cell biology.
Cultivation of yeast, mammalian cells and/or plants.
In addition, the appointee should be highly skilled in general molecular biological techniques including vector constructions, cloning, PCR and RNA interference.
The successful candidate will be embedded in the PUMPKIN research program at the University of Copenhagen.
Qualification requirements
In connection with the appointment to the post, special importance will be attached to the applicants having the professional and personal qualifications stated below:
Documented scientific qualifications such as a PhD. or equivalent in relation to the above subject areas.
Fluency in English. LIFE generally encourages employees who do not speak Danish to acquire a working knowledge of the language.
The post docs are also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills.
Questions
For further information about the post, please contact Thomas Günther-Pomorski, Associate Professor on tel. (+45) 3533 1016, tgp@life.ku.dk. The application, marked 621-311 and the position number should be sent by email to DPB_app@life.ku.dk where it must be received no later than February 26th, 2010 at 12.00 noon. Applications received after the closing date for applications will not be considered.
Group leader position in plant sciences
University of Cologne
Position: We are seeking a highly motivated young investigator who will develop her/his own independent research and establish her/his own research team in the BioCentre, a newly established integrative research and teaching facility for biological sciences at the University of Cologne.
Requirements: The preferred candidate has a strong publication record with a focus on plant lipid signalling and expertise in lipid analytics and mass spectrometry. Willingness to submit a grant application (e.g. Emmy Noether Programme, ERC Starting Grant) is a strong plus. The position will be endowed with excellent research infrastructure.
Starting date: The position is available immediately.
Duration: 5 years +.
Salary: According to national and DFG guidelines (TV-LE13).
Application: Applications should include a curriculum vitae, list of publications and the names and telephone numbers of three references. A research plan outlining complementarity of the planned research to the research programme in the Bucher lab is desired.
Deadline for application: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Inquiries and address of application:
Prof. Dr. Marcel Bucher
University of Cologne
Centre for Biosciences
Otto-Fischer-Strasse 6
50674 Köln
voice +49 (0)221 4702481
Research Assistant—Organic Synthetic Chemist
University of Bristol
View all University of Bristol's jobs
Institute Profile
Reference: 15213
Research subject: Chemistry
Salary: £29,000–£34,000
Job type: Fixed-term contract
Job Hours: Full-time
Location: Bristol
Description: Based in the School of Chemistry, you will be an organic synthetic chemist and the primary research responsibility will be the synthesis (and design) of novel compounds for biological assessment. The project is in medicinal chemistry, funded by the MRC through SARTRE for 1 year in the first instance with possible extension to 2 years.
You will be joining an established cross-faculty interdisciplinary team encompassing synthetic chemistry (Professor Chris Willis), biological NMR (Dr Matt Crump), molecular modelling (Drs Richard Sessions and Debbie Shoemark) and medicine (Drs Dave Dawbarn and Shelley Allen) to synthesise novel small molecule antagonists at the TrkA receptor (tyrosine kinase receptor A) for the treatment of pain. Dr Jayne Bailey is the project manager.
If successful, you may be appointed either on a fixed term or a permanent contract depending on the extent of your previous relevant research experience.
To apply for this job please visit www.findingtheanswers.co.uk and enter the job reference number in the search box.
You can find out about all the current research vacancies at the University of Bristol at www.findingtheanswers.co.uk.
PostDoc Position—Physical Principles of Carbohydrate (Hyaluronan) Cell-Surface Interactions: Paseo Miramon 182, 20009 San Sebastian, Spain
Are you interested in phenomena of supra-molecular self-organization in biology, and how they relate to biological function? We are looking for a motivated PostDoc to join our research efforts in this field.
The research team is interdisciplinary, on the borderline between biology, physics, chemistry and surface science. We combine new approaches of surface modification and nano-patterning and novel characterization techniques to investigate biological questions. To this end, we use purpose-designed model systems as well as living cells. The team is part of the CIC biomaGUNE (San Sebastian, Spain), a young research center for biomaterials, which offers excellent working conditions and has recently been equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and facilities, including confocal, atomic force, and electron microscopes, a variety of surface-sensitive (QCM-D, SPR, ellipsometry) and spectroscopic (ATR-FTIR, fluorescence) techniques, and facilities for cell culture.
The project: The interaction between the extracellular polysaccharide hyaluronan and the cell surface plays a vital role in a variety of biological processes, including inflammation, cell migration and morphogenesis. This 1-year project will focus on elucidating the physical principles that underlie the regulation of receptor-mediated hyaluronan binding to the cell surface.
Modern analytical techniques such as quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), ellipsometry, microinterferometry (RICM) and fluorescence microscopy will be employed. The applicant will also get intensive training in modern methods of surface biofunctionalization, including supported lipid membranes. The work will be conducted in collaboration with Prof. D. Jackson (MRC Human Immunology Unit, Oxford, UK) and with the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research (Stuttgart, Germany).
The applicant should have keen interest to work in an international and interdisciplinary research team. A solid experience in biological surface science, physical chemistry, biophysics, glycobiology, biochemistry or a related field is required. The working language is English. The project can be started immediately.
Interested? Please send an informal application with a brief statement of your interests, your CV and the contact information of two referees to Ralf Richter (rrichter@cicbiomagune.es). Further information can be found at www.cicbiomagune.es.
Postdoctoral Position: Cincinnati, OH
Postdoctoral positions are available on NIH funded projects to control and understand cell cycle and cell motility using micro/nanotechnology (e.g. micropatterns, microfluidics) at the University of Cincinnati.
Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in Cell Biology, Chemistry, or Engineering. Experiences in cell culture, immunofluorescence staining, fluorescence microscopy, or microfabrication is desirable. Candidates must have a strong publication record.
The College of Engineering at UC offers outstanding facilities and the new hire will have excellent opportunities for collaboration with our medical school and the Children’s Hospital.
Candidates can send their curriculum vitae with a short statement of research interests and the names of three referees to cho@alpha.che.uc.edu.
Scientist, Biophysics, Chemical Biology Unit: Copenhagen Denmark
Background:
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research (CPR) has recently been established at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, to promote basic and applied discovery research on human proteins of medical relevance. The Center comprises a wide range of expertise and resources, from in silico target identification, proteomics, high-throughput protein production and characterisation to chemical biology, disease mechanisms and protein therapeutics. To date, more than 60 scientists have been recruited (out of an expected ∼150).
The Facility for Protein Science and Technology (PST) encompasses high throughput production and characterisation of human proteins. The Chemical Biology Unit within the PST is being established as a state-of-the-art unit of scientists and technical staff, with efficient, systematic and cost effective procedures, conducting high-quality research in the area of protein–ligand and protein–protein interaction analyses.
The Chemical Biology Unit will focus on the identification and validation of interaction partners (chemical modulators of function, natural ligands as well as protein domains) focused on specific human protein targets and families of biological importance and medical relevance. Identified binders and protein partners will be used in functional and structural studies, in-house at the Center as well as in collaboration with external research groups. Key goals are to build a high-quality target-focused compound collection and to implement and optimise efficient screening infrastructure and methodologies, as well as follow-up validation assays.
Purpose of the position:
To provide expertise in the design, development and implementation of biophysics methods and technologies for analysing the interaction of proteins with low molecular weight compounds, natural ligands, peptides and with other proteins.
Experience/skills required:
Essential criteria
Excellent expertise in biophysics methods such as AUC, ITC, BiaCore, spectroscopy.
Good scientific publication record and/or technology/methodology development record.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Integrity, enthusiasm, motivation, flexibility, confidence and outstanding collaboration skills.
Desirable criteria:
Expertise in the use of fluorescent-based biophysics methods
Experience in the implementation and programming of automation instruments.
Experience with training and guiding technical staff.
Experience with specialised software.
Qualifications required:
Highly motivated and ambitious candidates are encouraged to apply. A PhD in Biophysics, Biochemistry, Protein Chemistry, Biology or other relevant area is required. Solid experience and excellent track record from leading laboratories in the research field will be considered a distinct advantage
For further information, please contact Head of Chemical Biology Unit Jens Berthelsen at (+45) 35 32 50 13 or by email to jens.berthelsen@cpr.ku.dk.
Your application marked “211-0048/10-3850 Scientist, Biophysics, Chemical Biology Unit, CPR” including a CV must be at the NNF Center for Protein Research before 1 February 2010. Your application should be sent by email to jobs@cpr.ku.dk
Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Protein NMR Spectroscopy: Singapore
A postdoctoral position is available in early 2010 to study protein-RNA interaction using primarily NMR spectroscopy but including also other biophysical methods (e.g. ITC, FCS, and SPR). The system being studied represents an important research in cell biology with medical significance. Candidate is expected to be self-motivated, independent in research, and displays strong problem-solving capability. Prior experience with protein overexpression, biophysical techniques, and protein NMR spectroscopy is highly appreciated. Our laboratory routinely employs various high resolution NMR techniques on isotope-labelled proteins and peptides in detergents to investigate the structure, function, and dynamics of proteins and protein complexes. Serving as a broad platform for high impact research, the School of Biological Sciences houses NMR spectrometers from 400 to 700 MHz with cryoprobe and HR-MAS, X-ray crystallography facility, fluorescence microscope as well as electron microscope.
Competitive salaries are offered based on individual merits. The applicants should state their interest and past experience in a cover letter and send their applications via email, along with their CV and the name and contact information of three referees in a single PDF file to both Associate Professor Konstantin Pervushin (kpervushin@ntu.edu.sg) and Leo Wong (wong0653@ntu.edu.sg).
Prof. Dr. Konstantin Pervushin
Nanyang Technological University
School of Biological Sciences
Structural and Computational Biology Division
60 Nanyang Drive
Singapore 637551
Postdoc Position: Biophysics Of Mitochondrial Membrane Fusion: Paris, FRANCE
A postdoctoral position in membrane fusion biophysics funded by the French Agency of National Research (2,500€/month gross) is available at the INSERM unit 950 (Membrane Traffic in Neuronal & Epithelial Morphogenesis, IJM, Paris). The project aims at elucidating the molecular mechanisms orchestrating the mitochondrial fusion machinery using in vitro reconstitution of candidate fusion proteins into various artificial lipidic platforms, combined with membrane imaging, adhesion and fusion assays (e.g. confocal imaging, FRET-based lipid mixing assay, giant liposomes micromanipulation). Applicants should hold a PhD in experimental physics or biophysics and be highly motivated by biological questions; a background in molecular and cellular biology, or a strong desire in acquiring it, will be appreciated. A minimum commitment for 2–3 years is desired, with a starting date during winter–spring 2010. To apply, please send a single PDF file that contains a CV, a short statement of research interests and experience, and three names of references with contact information to: david.tareste@inserm.fr. To learn more visit: http://sites.google.com/site/insermu950/Biophysics-of-membrane-fusion
Event Details
Date: 10 January 2010 — 15 January 2010
Venue: Snowbird Resor, Snowbird, Utah, USA
Keystone Symposia: Molecular Basis for Biological Membrane Organization and Dynamics
This meeting will address major questions in membrane biology that remain unanswered, including the structure of membrane proteins (we only know ∼100 structures, but 25% of all proteins are membrane proteins!), the mechanisms driving membrane organization and curvature, mechanisms of organellar biogenesis and the transport between organelles, and how membranes undergo fusion and fission.
Event Subject(s): Biosciences, General
Further Information:
Event Details
Intensive 2-day workshop in NMR
Date: 14 January 2010 09:30–15 January 2010 17:00
Venue: University of Manchester, GE005, School of Chemistry, Brunswick Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
NMR is a powerful analytical technique and this intensive workshop will help the participants achieve experience in data processing, spectral analysis and interpretation.
Event Subject(s): Analytical, Biosciences, Education, Forensic Science, General, Industry & Technology, Inorganic, Materials & Polymers, Organic, Physical
Tel: + 44 (0)161 3064539
Email:vasudevan.ramesh@manchester.ac.uk
Event Details
RSC Theophilus Redwood Lecture: Prospects for 2D and 3D mass spectral molecular imaging of bio-systems with sub-micron resolution
Date: 03 February 2010 17:00 — 18:00
Venue: University of Plymouth, J. Craigie Lecture Theatre, Roland Levinsky Building, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
The lecture will outline the state of play and discuss the potential and challenges of 2D and 3D molecular imaging of biological samples exemplified using tissue sections and cultured cells.
Event Subject(s): Analytical Biosciences
Tel: 01752 584573
Email:hevans@plymouth.ac.uk
3rd Singapore Lipid Symposium
March 3–5, 2010
National University of Singapore
Center for Life Sciences
Event Details
BIO-Europe Spring® 2010—4th International Partnering Conference
Date: 08 March 2010 — 10 March 2010
The conference annually attracts the international “who’s who” from biotech, pharma and finance for 3 days of high-caliber networking. BIO-Europe Spring’s world-class workshops, panels and active exhibition along with thousands of prescheduled one-to-one meetings make this event an unrivalled forum for companies across the biotech value chain to meet and do business. Attend BIO-Europe Spring and experience how you can have more partnering meetings in the three days of the conference than in the rest of the year. Based on attendance at previous events, BIO-Europe Spring 2010 will bring together over 1,500 executives from biotechnology, pharmaceutical and finance companies from around the world, who will engage in over 6,000 partnering meetings. Partnering at BIO-Europe Spring is powered by partneringONE®, the leading conference solution for helping life science delegates meet efficiently and effectively. partneringONE has the unique ability to manage the complex interactions between thousands of executives from many different companies. This sophisticated web-based partnering system enables delegates to screen potential partners, pre-arrange meetings and manage the entire conference partnering process. Delegates can log in and connect with the conference community, anytime, anywhere.
Event Subject(s): Biosciences
Organiser Information
Organiser(s): EBD Group, Inc.
Contact for Event Information
Name : Mr Thomas Voigt
Address:
In Europe : Frauenstrasse 22 80469 Munich Germany (+49 89 23 88 756 0)
In USA:
2032 Corte del Nogal, Suite 120
Carlsbad, CA
92011
United States of America
Tel: +1 760 930 0500
Fax: +1 760 030 0520
Email:tvoigt@ebdgroup.com
Improved platforms and techniques for drug discovery, development and toxicity testing 20–22 April 2010, BSG Conference Centre, London UK
Event Details
Direct Analysis Mass Spectrometry—Techniques and Applications
Date: 21 April 2010–
Venue: AstraZeneca, Alderley Park Conference Centre, Cheshire, UK
The development of ambient ionisation techniques such as DESI, DART, LDTD, etc. is a rapidly growing area within mass spectrometry and this meeting is an opportunity to find out more about these techniques and their applications.
Event Subject(s): Analytical Biosciences
Jointly organised with: British Mass Spectrometry Society
Contact for Event Information
Name : Mr Christopher Gee
Address:
MedImmune
AKB
Granta Park
Cambridge
CB21 6GH
United Kingdom
Tel: 01223 898239
Email:geec@medimmune.com
Catalytic Mechanisms by Biological Systems: At the Interface between Chemistry and Biology
5–7 May 2010
EMBL Hamburg, Germany
Frontiers of Chemistry: From Molecules to Systems
A One-Day Symposium
On 21st May 2010 in Paris
at the Maison de la Chimie
“Frontiers of Chemistry: From Molecules to Systems”, a celebratory symposium on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of ChemBioChem and ChemPhysChem, European journals of chemical biology and physical chemistry/chemical physics, will take place at the Maison de la Chimie in Paris on 21st May 2010, starting at 09:00.
Ten worldwide recognized scientists, including four Nobel Laureates, accepted to present a talk at this symposium and will guarantee the high scientific level of this prestigious event. Main topics will include: catalysis, biochemical imaging, chemical biology, bionanotechnology, proteomics, spectroscopy, solar cells. The list of speakers and the complete programme are available on the symposium website www.chembiophyschem.org. Registration can be made using the registration tool on the website of the symposium.
International Conference on Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems
22–27 August 2010
Cairns Convention Centre
Queensland
Australia
Welcome to the XXIVth International Conference on Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, to be held at the Convention Centre in Cairns, a major regional city which is also a gateway to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and the tropical north of Australia. The ICMRBS is held biennially and brings together a broad cross-section of experts from around the world with interests in the applications of all aspects of magnetic resonance in biology. ICMRBS XXIV will maintain that tradition, featuring plenary and keynote lectures and concurrent sessions that cover new methods development and biological applications of high-resolution and solid-state NMR, EPR, in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy, metabolomics, and magnetic resonance imaging. This conference is the major scientific event in the field of magnetic resonance applications in the biological sciences. Recent conferences have attracted delegates from all over the world, with a growing number of participants from Asia. It is fitting that the XXIVth conference will be held in this region.
http://www.the-embo-meeting.org/
51st International Conference on the Biosciences of Lipids
Bilbao, Spain
7–11 September 2010
Lipids and Biomembranes
Preliminary Scientific Programme:
Physical chemistry of lipids
Lipids and biomembranes
Bioactive lipids and lipidomics
Lipids in health and disease
Lipid-protein interactions and lipid trafficking
Plant lipids
Microbial lipids
Info at: www.icbl.unibe.ch
EMBO Conference Series
Chemical Biology 2010
EMBL Heidelberg, Germany
Wednesday 22 September–Saturday 25 September 2010
http://2011.the-embo-meeting.org/
Iron Transport in Bacteria
Editors: Jorge H. Crosa, Alexandria R. Mey, Shelley M. Payne
Publisher: ASM Press
Book ISBN: 978-1-55581-292-8
Hardcover, 532 pages, 2004
Iron is an essential element for most organisms. It is required for an enormous variety of metabolic processes. However, its biological availability is very low due to its poor solubility in the presence of oxygen at physiological pH. Therefore, acquiring and maintaining the required level of iron represents a major challenge for many organisms.
The book “Iron transport in bacteria” deals with how iron is being recruited and transported in microbial systems despite its low solubility. It gives both an overview of the research of microbial iron transport of the last 50 years and an insight into recent developments and techniques in the field.
The book is arranged into five sections divided into a total of 30 chapters. The first section deals with the structure, chemical properties and biosynthesis of the iron-chelating compounds siderophores and hemophore, the major compounds to acquire iron in bacterial systems. The second section focuses on the structures of receptor proteins involved in bacterial iron uptake. The transport of siderophores and hemophore into gram-negative bacteria and the interaction with receptor proteins as well as the role of the TonB system are described. The details of the most studied gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli K-12 make up the next four chapters in section three. This section closes with a chapter on the role of the fur gene in iron regulation. The fourth section describes the iron transport in a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. The last section, named “Iron transport and ecology”, illustrates the relationship between environmental factors and the biological function of siderophores.
Every chapter has a small introduction plus references to other sections/chapters in the book, so the reader can find information to a particular topic for further reading more easily. Most chapters have a good conclusion with further thoughts, questions or suggestions being raised. A list of research publications under “suggested reading” is attached at the end of every chapter. The editor chose not to have cited reference in the main text which sometimes makes it more difficult to identify the primary source of information for further reading.
“Iron transport in bacteria” is a good reference book for researchers in the field of microbial iron transport. The well defined structure makes it easy to read and to find the particular information of interest quickly. It is also suitable for new researchers as the first two sections give a more introductory description of how iron is being recruited and transported in bacterial systems. The fact that roughly one third of the book is dedicated to iron transport in pathogenic bacteria, makes it appealing for researchers working on such systems.
Dr Lok Hang Mak
Research Associate
Division of Cell and Molecular Biology,
Imperial College London
SW7 2AZ, UK
Email: lok.mak@imperial.ac.uk
MSc in Chemical Biologyhttp://www.sussex.ac.uk/chemistry/chembio
"The recent exciting findings in chemical biology promise a paradigm shift in medical treatments. There is no doubt that some of the most important new scientific advances are in this field and if I were a student today I would be strongly attracted to this field."Harry Kroto, University of Sussex, Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1996
For more information please contact:
School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 1273 678057, or email lifesci@sussex.ac.uk