Descripción de la oferta
TOPIC: Exploring new sources of food-relevant carotenoids: Use of Cas9 ribonucleoprotein complexes, and other molecular tools, to manipulate the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway in micoralgae (CARACAS)
Microalgae are an exceptional source of a good number of nutraceutical compounds used in the agri-food industry and in aquaculture, including carotenoids. Their genetic manipulation is key to improving the productivity of these compounds and making them competitive with those obtained from other natural sources or those synthesized artificially. In recent years, the renewed interest in microalgae has led to the genetic transformation of new species, but most of the research continues to focus on a few strains and low efficiency or instability of transgenes are still frequent problems. The «Genetic Improvement of Photosynthetic Organisms» Unit aims to overcome the main barriers that exist for the efficient and stable expression of genes in microalgae and apply the tools obtained to improve the productivity of different compounds of commercial interest
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Candidates should have: Master degree in Biochemistry, Biotechonology, Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacy or similar. Good spoken and written English skills. Teamwork skills and scientific motivation. Previous experience in molecular biology will be valued.
METHODOLOGIES. CRISPR-Cas9, microalgae culture, microalgae transformation, transcriptomic, HPLC, standard molecular biology techniques
CONTRACT: We offer a funded PhD contract linked to Spanish National AEI project. The selected candidate is expected to start in January 2024