05 Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Freiburg, Germany

The Lillemeier Lab is seeking a highly creative, collaborative, and motivated postdoctoral researcher who is interested in visualizing immune responses in T cells using single molecule microscopy. Our group is interested in the regulation of lymphocyte activity and functions during cancer and autoimmunity. Current research is focused on the activating T cell receptor (TCR) and inhibitory PD1 pathways in T cells. We apply multidisciplinary approaches that combine cutting-edge fluorescence microscopy with biophysics, biochemistry and molecular biology to elucidate how protein conformations, modifications and assembly at the plasma membrane control signal transduction. Specifically, we have discovered that the T cell signaling pathways are segregated into distinct plasma membrane nanodomains (a.k.a. protein islands) that concatenate upon T cell stimulation. We are studying how the signaling pathways utilize nanodomain distributions and dynamics, and how signals are exchanged between them. We aim to identify and modulate spatio-temporal mechanisms that are specific to signaling proteins and/or pathways. Newly identified mechanisms are characterized and targeted in situ and in vivo, including in mice, to modulate anti-tumor responses and autoimmunity. Our goal is to determine the potential of these mechanisms as future drug targets for immunotherapies. Multiple projects are currently available to study spatio-temporal signaling mechanisms that control the assembly and signal transduction of the TCR and PD1 pathways at the plasma membrane, as well as the interaction and communication between them and other T cell signaling pathways.

NanodiagBW is a research consortium with partners from academia and industry that uses nanopore technology for molecular diagnostics (https://www.hahn-schickard.de/en/nanodiag). For the development of miniaturized analysis systems we employ protein nanopores to read epigenetic marks in high-throughput and at large scale and integrate the obtained data into comprehensive picture of individual disease states. In the present project, the focus will be on the production, characterization and engineering of protein nanopores, their embedding in membrane environments and functional testing using state-of-the-art electrophysiology.

The Collaborative Research Center 1381 “Dynamic Organization of Cellular Protein Machineries” (https://www.sfb1381.uni-freiburg.de) investigates the assembly, function and dynamic interplay of the molecular machineries that allow our cells to function. In this project we use structural biology (X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM) to elucidate the structure and function of dynamic multi-component protein complexes required for crucial task in metabolism, signaling, repair, and replication. In its second funding period, the CRC works towards creating models and in-silico representations of cellular machineries that can be integrated into efficient simulations of complex systems. New methods for the analysis and realization of protein dynamics will be developed and applied to obtain a picture of the molecular mechanisms that drive cellular processes in unprecedented detail.

As part of our Nucleic Acid Analysis Group, you explore new assay technologies to overcome current limitations in molecular diagnostics and DNA analysis. The group focuses on PCR, digital and isothermal amplification and is increasing its activities in the field of next generation sequencing. By the development and integration of novel assay formats, we aim to improve performance and create added value for patients and users. Our projects are characterized by interdisciplinary cooperation with academic, clinical, and industrial partners with the goal of fast technology transfer. Application examples include the detection of antibiotic-resistant pathogens as well as personalized therapy monitoring in oncology and liquid biopsies based on circulating tumor DNA.