Institut Charles Sadron News
Titre : Research Internship Master 1 or 2: Deciphering the R-body Extension-Retraction Mechanism
Responsable : Schmatko Tatiana (MCUBE)
Description du projet
R-bodies are unique molecular pistons produced by endosymbiotic bacteria that can switch in a fraction of second from self-enrolled 500nm ribbons to 20 microns membrane-perforating needles. Their extension is triggered by pH variation via a mechanism that remains unclear. Within this internship the student will decipher R-bodies’ extension-retraction cycle dynamics and mechanism by combining microfluidics, high speed imaging, force spectroscopy methods and theoretical models.The R-bodies are produced in E.coli and will be immobilized inside microfluidic chambers allowing rapid buffer exchange. We will assess the influence of buffer viscosity on R-bodies dynamics and the force generated during retraction using high speed imaging and optical tweezers. R-bodies will be trapped into giant unilamellar vesicles together with photoacid molecules and oscillatory rapid actuation will be triggered by light. The longer term vision is to develop a biophysical model integrating the experimental results and to ultimately tame this powerful and unique, nanomachine as a workhorse of future nanotechnology.
Informations complémentaires
Fin de l'offre : 01/05/2023
Lien externe : https://ics-mcube.cnrs.fr/
internship_Rbodies.pdf