Research on protein structure and function revelant to human health and diseases

Opportunity Description:

Professor Wei-Jen Tang in the Ben May Department (voices.uchicago.edu/wtang-lab) is for a University of Chicago undergraduate student who is interested in using computational and experimental methods to investigate the structural dynamics of enzymes. The time commitment is a minimum of 10 hours per week.

Ideal candidates will have some experience or an eagerness to learn
• Molecular dynamics simulations software (all-atom, coarse-grained)
• Data analysis and presentation using Python, R, or other languages
• Molecular biology and protein engineering (cloning, PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, E. coli and/or yeast expression, protein purification)
• Cryo-EM structural data processing
… as well as the strong organizational and communications skills necessary to succeed in a dynamic lab environment with multiple competing priorities.

Project design will center on the core lab interests of characterizing the conformational dynamics of cryptidase enzymes and their substrate interactions using an integrative structural approach, and the engineering of cryptidase variants with novel substrate activity profiles. Focus can shift between experimental and computational techniques depending on candidate’s interests and skills. Publication of your findings will be encouraged and supported.

Major duties will include some or all of the following:
- Run and analyze coarse-grained and all-atom simulations of wild-type and mutate variant cryptidase enzymes
- Literature analysis of target enzymes and their (possible) substrates
- Construct design, cloning, expression, purification, and activity assays of wild type and mutant variant cryptidase enzymes
- Cryo-EM sample preparation and data analysis of enzymes +/- substrates
- Attending and presenting experimental and simulations data at lab meetings

Applicants should contact Wei-Jen Tang (wtang@bsd.uchicago.edu) with a CV and transcript, and a brief message describing your interest and why you would be a good candidate.