Nanometer Scale Spectroscopic Investigations of Bacteria Biofilm Formation (Tuebingen)

Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) has emerged as a frequent cause of nosocomial infections in association with indwelling medical devices such as intravascular catheters, prosthetic heart valves, prosthetic joints, and artificial pacemakers. The virulence of such kind of bacteria in these infections is thought to be based on its ability to colonize medical devices by forming a biofilm composed of multilayered cell clusters embedded in a slime matrix.

In order to investigate a series of biological issues concerning bacteria biofilm formation, we (in collaboration with Prof. F. Götz from Institute of Microbial Genetics, University of Tübingen) offer a PhD student position in the nanooptics group, institute of physical and theoretical chemistry, University of Tuebingen. We propose to measure the S. epidermidis biofilm formation using Raman microscopy, which is aimed at addressing this essential process in a highly sensitive, selective and less-destructive manner. In order to increase the sensitivity and surface-selectivity of Raman spectroscopy, we will combine immuno-Au labelling with SERS for bacteria localization and detection. We would like to clarify the influences of the following important factors, such as the incubation time, the presence of substrates and the property of the S. epidermidis adhered interface, on biofilm formation.

We will provide you:

1. Advanced optical microscopic techniques with diffraction limited optical resolution or down to nanometer regime ultra-high resolution
2. Single molecule spectroscopic technique
3. Friendly international working atmosphere with colleagues coming from multidiscipline scientific fields, such as biology, chemistry, physics and electronics

We expect from you:

1. Undergraduate degree from biochemistry, or physical chemistry.
2. Knowledge about Raman or IR spectroscopy is required. Experience with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy or scanning near-field spectroscopy is highly appreciated.
3. Knowledge about handling biological molecules with spectroscopic methods would be advantageous.
4. Highly motivated and collaborative.

This position is available from now on and the application deadline is 15 February, 2011. The whole PhD thesis will last for 3-4 years with a salary level of 1/2 TVL13.

If you would like to know more about our group, please go to our webpage: http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/Meixner/

For applying this position, please send your CV and application letter to Dr. Dai Zhang (dai.zhang(at)uni-tuebingen.de

Nanometer Scale Spectroscopic Investigations of Bacteria Biofilm Formation (Tuebingen)

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