The AXES research group (Department of Chemistry) and the SPHERE research group (Department of Biology) are performing scientific research in the interdisciplinary field of electrochemical biosensing; from the selection of the biomolecules towards the use of these biomolecules in electrochemical biosensing devices.
Within this collaboration, the research teams are currently looking for a highly motivated PhD student with excellent grades.
PhD student in the field of electrochemical biosensing of antibiotics
Description
Single stranded DNA or aptamers – synthetic oligonucleotides also known as artificial antibodies – offer great potential for the design of biosensors with high selectivity for a given target. Electrochemistry allows a fast, onsite and sensitive detection of low concentrations of redox active targets present in real matrices such as milk and other foods. The combination of aptamer sensing and electrochemistry results in so-called electrochemical aptasensing devices able to sense target molecules with high selectivity and sensitivity.
The current position involves the selection of aptamers for antibiotics, the immobilization of these biomolecules on electrode surfaces and the study of their electrochemical responses towards antibiotics.
Qualifications
- Applicants need tο hаνе a M.Sc. degree іn thе fields οf chemistry, engineering οr biology with excellent grades. You are particularly motivated for experimental scientific research, and you wish to prepare a PhD in this direction.
- Gοοd communication skills аnd ехсеllеnt English аrе requested.
- Expertise or a strong interest іn thе following fields іѕ desirable: aptamer research and/or bio-electrochemistry.
Labs involved
The AXES research group of UAntwerpen (www.uantwerpen.be/en/rg/axes/), headed by Prof. K. De Wael, performs fundamental, methodological and application-oriented research involving a wide range of analytical techniques such as electrochemistry. A recurring theme in our research is the use of state-of-the-art methods for determination of low concentration levels and/or for imaging of analyte species. These methods are frequently applied to address environmental problems.
The research group SPHERE of UAntwerpen (www.sphere.be), headed by Prof. R. Blust, has a strong focus on studying impact and effect of environmental stressors on the environment. As a good assessment of effect(s) on a biological system is not possible without a thorough chemical analysis, the group also has a lot of expertise in chemical analysis of biological specimens. It is from this perspective that SPHERE has been involved in projects studying the risk of potentially toxic chemicals in the human food chain. One of these projects focuses on the development of sensors for the detection of PCBs/dioxins in the human food chain using ssDNA aptamers and has the ILVO as a scientific partner.
We offer
- An exciting research trajectory towards a PhD
- Multidisciplinary research and cooperation with excellent academic research groups
- The use of state-of-the-art instrumentation
- Starting date: January-February-March 2015
Applications
Interested candidates are invited to send
- A one-page motivation letter
- A detailed CV (including followed courses, honours, grades, previous work, publications, …)
- Contact info of at least two references
to: Prof. Dr. Karolien De Wael (karolien.dewael<στο>uantwerpen.be)
- Deadline for applications: December 31, 2014.
- Please mention “PhD application APTASENSE” in the subject line.
More info?
Prof. Dr. Karolien De Wael
AXES Research Group
Department of Chemistry
University of Antwerp
Email: Karolien.DeWael<στο>UAntwerpen.be
Phone: +32(0)32653335