The objective of this PhD project is to unravel how mutations in the ribonuclease MRP RNA affect biochemical processes in cells and during development, and how these result in the cartilage-hair hypoplasia (CHH) phenotype. Ribonuclease MRP (RNase MRP) is an autoantigenic RNA-protein complex, which is targeted by the immune system in scleroderma. Mutations in the gene encoding the RNA component of RNase MRP cause CHH, a highly pleiotropic disease. It is still unknown which biochemical processes are affected by the impaired function of the endoribonuclease RNase MRP in CHH.
You will perform this challenging research project at the Biomolecular Chemistry laboratory and will collaborate with researchers from the University of Edinburgh, the University of Maastricht and the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre. Your research involves RNA protein interaction studies, recombinant DNA technologies, cell culture, next-generation sequencing and immunological techniques.
Work environment
The research will be embedded in the IMM, an interdisciplinary Graduate Research School within the Faculty of Science. Its mission is to conduct research and train graduate students in the design, study, and manipulation of the properties of functional molecules and materials.
The Biomolecular Chemistry laboratory is also associated with the NCMLS, a leading European research school within the domain of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, which provides a research setting for several departments of Radboud University Nijmegen (Medical Centre).
PhD Candidate for Biomolecular Chemistry
