Mechanisms of post-transcriptional gene regulation in Pristionchus pacificus

Advisor: Catia Igreja

Location: Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen

The Department of Integrative Evolutionary Biology has an active research program studying the predatory model nematode Pristionchus pacificus with state-of-the-art facilities in molecular biology, biochemistry, nematode genetics, CRISPR-engineering, genomics, and bioinformatics. Our highly interdisciplinary research team works at the interphase between development, evolution and ecology. We investigate, among others, the development and evolution of mouth-form plasticity with two alternative, predatory or bacterial feeding morphs.

We are interested in the mechanisms of post-transcriptional gene regulation with focus on translational control and mRNA metabolism which remain poorly characterized in the predatory model nematode Pristionchus pacificus. We aim at characterizing translatome signatures during development, translational control mechanisms operating in the organism and mRNA-associated control mechanisms. This project has the potential to provide unprecedented insight into the regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in invertebrates.  We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student to join the department and study the importance of post-transcriptional gene regulation in P. pacificus.

More information about the research of Cátia Igreja and a selection of recent publications can be found on her faculty page.

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