IFPEN
Location
Rueil Malmaison, Hauts de Seine | France
Job description
Exploring fungal biodiversity by metatranscriptomics for identification of new cellulases
For second generation ethanol production an efficient hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials into fermentable sugars is needed. Hydrolytic enzymes are produced by the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei which is able to secrete high amounts of proteins. However, the composition of its cocktail has to be optimized in order to develop a cost-efficient process. A promising approach which has already allowed improvements of the enzymatic cocktail in the past, is its complementation with enzymes from other fungal species. This strategy is also followed in the present postdoctoral project, notably by coupling metatranscriptomics with functional screening. Indeed, this approach allows targeting actively transcribed genes in conditions of lignocellulose degradation. The metatranscriptome will thus be extracted from lignocellulosic biomass decomposing environments such as herbivore excrements or compost. The expression of the retrieved sequences in a host organism and functional screening will finally lead to the selection of target enzymes for the complementation of the T. reesei enzymatic cocktail.
The work of the Post-Doc includes the participation in collecting suitable samples of decomposing lignocellulosic material, extraction of the metatranscriptome and constructing an expression library in an eukaryotic host, as well as the functional screening on chromophoric substrates. After sequencing of positive hits, the corresponding genes have be subcloned for functional expression and characterization of the corresponding enzymes. A TECAN colony picker available in our lab can be used to facilitate and accelerate certain steps.
We look for people with proposal force and able to integrate into a team. Capacity of conducting independent research and of writing scientific reports or research articles is also required. Experience with eukaryotic screening hosts will be highly appreciated, and bioinformatic competences particularly concerning analysis of sequencing data are also necessary. A basic knowledge in French and fluency in English are required.
For more information or sending applications, please contact :
The candidate should possess a PhD in molecular biology or biotechnology.
The candidate should possess a PhD in molecular biology or biotechnology.
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