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Project

Chemistry and Biotechnology

The microbiota, especially the gut microbiota, has played a critical role in the hosts nutritional ecology, which has a strong impact on an intricate network of host molecular pathways. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota can therefore constitute a major factor in diseases like obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disease, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery of such pathways and links was made possible by the next generation sequencing techniques (NGS). In the Hofkens’ group, we have developed a single molecule optical genetic mapping technique, combining site-specific labelling of DNA by the methyltransferases with super-resolution microscopy. To further improve our technology, in this project, we aim to evaluate a novel mapping approach by minor groove binders, pyrrole-imidazole oligoamides, overcoming the limitations of current MTase-based mapping technique. By attempting to improve on the very core technology of said platform, this project holds the potential to truly reshape the ongoing research within the entire group.

Date:17 Dec 2020 →  Today
Keywords:microbiota, optical genetic mapping, super-resolution microscopy, minor groove binders
Disciplines:Nanochemistry, Organic chemical synthesis
Project type:PhD project