Project properties
Title Structural mechanism of cysteine rich receptor kinase interaction
Group Biochemistry, Laboratory of
Project type thesis
Credits 21-39
Supervisor(s) Jente Stouthamer
Examiner(s) Elwira Smakowska-Luzan
Contact info Jente.Stouthamer@wur.nl
Begin date 2023/07/01
End date 2024/12/31
Description In order for plants to react to changes in their environment, plant cell membranes contain a class of proteins called receptor kinases (RKs). RKs bridge the membrane, their extracellular part is able to perceive outside signals such as hormones or small peptides. Upon perception the intracellular kinase is able to trigger a response within the cell, such as activating transcription. One family of receptor kinases are the Cysteine rich receptor kinases (CRKs). CRKs distinguish themselves from other RKs through the structure of their extracellular domain (ECD), which consists of a tandem of domain of unknown function 26 (DUF26). However very little is known about what kind of signals CRKs may perceive and
The aim of this project is to take a closer look at the structure of the CRK ECD and underlying mechanisms by which they may perceive signals and interact with each other.
Whin this project both a in vitro and in vivo approach are taken where there is room to choose based on your interests or experience. In vitro projects will involve protein purification followed by protein characterisation using Native PAGE, SEC-MALS and ITC.
In vivo projects will involve in planta studies of CRKs using Fluorescence confocal microscopy and possibly FRET-FLIM.

Used skills Cell culture, Protein purification, in vitro analysis (Native PAGE, SEC-MALS, ITC)

Co-Immuno precipitation, Fluorescence Microscopy, image analysis.
Requirements Knowledge of biochemistry and (plant) biology
Any lab experience would be ideal