Description

Characterization of steroid degrading bacteria from the Baltic Sea at Kiel Germany
We have established a new meta genomic system for steroid inducible gene isolation from marine bacteria. Recently, two estradiol-inducible genes were isolated from the marine bacterial strain H5 with this system and identified as being 3-ketosteroid-delta-1- dehydrogenase and carboxylesterase.

The following research plan should be performed by the candidate:

1. Purification and identification of 3-ketosteroid-delta- 1-dehydrogenase and carboxylesterase;
2. Relationship between enzyme expression and steroid degradation;
3. Knock-out mutant preparation;
4. New steroid inducible genes isolation in H5;
5. Creation of a new biosensor system for steroid detection;
6. Toxicology of H5;
7. Bacterial titre detection of H5 in sea water, Kiel, Germany at different locations and in different steroid concentrations.

Background

Steroid contamination of sea water is an ever- growing problem and impacts population dynamics of all kinds of sea animals.
We have long experience with the soil bacterium Comamonas testosteroni which is able to catabolize a variety of steroids and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and which might be used in the bioremediation of contaminated soil.

For students who come from:

Disciplines:

Eligibility

Subject Requirements (Qualification)

• University degree in mathematics, physics, meteorology, or oceanography

• Good computer programming skills

• Working knowledge of English

Type of Persons

• PhD student

Duration

Three years

Benefits

This topic does not include a PhD stipend. Interested students should bring a scholarship or contact us to find possibilities for funding.

As a PhD candidate in the Cluster of Excellence „The Future Ocean“ you will be supported by the Integrated School of Ocean Sciences which offers high level scientifc and career-oriented training as well as additional financing.

Relevant Links: Visit scholarship website

Incoming search terms: