University of California, Berkeley
Postdoctoral positions are available to study responses of
photosynthetic organisms to excessive light. The laboratory uses a
combination of genetic and physiological approaches to characterize
Chlamydomonas and Arabidopsis mutants defective in regulation of
photosynthesis and/or antioxidant metabolism. Candidates are sought to
join either of two ongoing research projects.
One project is focused on Chlamydomonas mutants that are defective in
xanthophyll metabolism (Plant Cell 9: 1369-1380 [1997]), especially a
mutant lacking zeaxanthin and lutein that undergoes photo-oxidative
bleaching in high light (PNAS 94: 14162-14167 [1997] --
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/94/25/14162). Biochemical methods
will be used to characterize the types of oxidative damage and
antioxidant responses that occur in xanthophyll mutants compared to the
wild type. The phenotypes of the xanthophyll mutants will be exploited
to identify new mutants affecting antioxidant metabolism in
Chlamydomonas.
The second project concerns the dissipation of excess absorbed light
energy as measured by nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll
fluorescence. A collection of Arabidopsis npq mutants that are
defective in nonphotochemical quenching has been isolated by digital
video imaging of chlorophyll fluorescence, and characterization of
mutants that are impaired in the xanthophyll cycle has confirmed the
involvement of specific xanthophylls. However, several npq mutants
have normal pigment composition and therefore define molecules besides
the xanthophylls that are required for nonphotochemical quenching.
Molecular genetic and biochemical methods will be used to identify the
genes and proteins that are affected in these novel mutants, and
physiological characterization of the mutants will enable critical
assessment of the importance of nonphotochemical quenching in
photoprotection.
A strong background in molecular genetics and biochemistry is required.
Preference will be given to applicants with potential to obtain
independent funding.
To apply, send letter of application and CV and request that three
letters of reference be sent to: Krishna K. Niyogi, Department of
Plant and Microbial Biology, 111 Koshland Hall, University of
California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3102, FAX (510) 642-4995, e-mail
niyogi at nature.berkeley.edu. A brief overview of research in the
laboratory can be found at
http://plantbio.berkeley.edu/Faculty/faculty_members/niyogi.html.
