In this project, you will use molecular cloning and protein engineering to optimize the linker connecting a BRET donor and acceptor, aiming to make the system responsive to plant catabolism. Your work will lay the foundation for a new molecular reporter that will become an important tool for ongoing research in our group.

 

During this project, you will learn:

• Principles of BRET

• In silico design of proteins: AlphaFold2, RFdiffusion

• Primer design and PCR

• Plasmid assembly and molecular cloning

• E. coli cultivation and transformation

• Plasmid purification (minipreps)

• Verification of genetic constructs by sequencing

• Transient expression in plants

• Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of plant tissue samples

• Bioluminescence detection in plants using BioLum

• Quantitative analysis and interpretation of experimental data

• Review and analysis of relevant scientific literature

• Good scientific practice: accurate documentation of experiments to ensure reproducibility

 

You will get to explore how small changes in protein design can transform a light-emitting system into a tool for studying biological processes in living cells.

 

The project has a flexible start date and is primarily suited for a master’s project (30–60 hp). It still can be modified for a bachelor’s project (15 hp) that will comprise the in silico design and assembly of the constructs, which the group will later test in plants.

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Interested?

Contact Alyona at alena.minina@slu.se to discuss timing and how to tailor the project to you.