Single Cell Investigation of Microbial Production Strains in Microfluidic Bioreactors
(MSc. Bioprocess Engineering, Applied Biotechnology or similar)

Background: The impact of single cell behavior and population heterogeneity on the productivity of industrial bioprocesses is still not well understood. Microfluidic devices offer a unique facility to investigate the dynamic behavior of single cells under well controlled environmental conditions. The manipulation of fluids in channels with dimensions of tens of micro meters is now possible. Minaturized chip-based systems have been successfully demonstrated in various fields, like chemical synthesis, biological analysis, medical diagnostics, optics and information technology. In the field of cell biology and biotechnology microfluidic chips enable the investigation of single organisms in “single cell bioreactors”. The large variety of applications and often multidisciplinary projects make microfluidics a fascinating working field.

About us: The “Micro Scale Bioengineering Group” is part of the Institute of Biotechnology (IBT2), located at the Research Center Juelich. Our aim is to develop cutting-edge microfluidic systems to study micro organisms with respect to, productivity, life time, stress influence, population heterogeneity etc. We will work in very close cooperation with different research groups from biology, chemistry, bioengineering and simulation.

Project Description: You will develop a glass based microfluidic system to study bacterial cells under changing environmental conditions. Emphasis lies on the determination of response thresholds with respect to stress signals like microaerobic conditions or substrate fluctuations occuring in a bioreactor. To this end cells are equipped with molecular fluorescence sensors. A well controllable microfluidic environment and fast fluorescence microscopy will enable long time observation on single cell level. You will be working in a young and dynamic research team. Your responsibilities will include: CAD of microfluidic structures and chips; development of an experimental setup incl. high-end laser scanning microscopy, bioreactor characterization; experimental work with bacterial cells; image analysis; publication of research results etc. This three year project will be fully funded in accordance with the “Forschungszentrum Jülich” stipend program for doctoral students.

Requirements: We are looking for highly motivated early stage researchers with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field, i.e., MSc. Bioprocess Engineering, Applied Biotechnology or similar. You should have a strong interest in multidisciplinary research and laboratory work. Knowledge and first experience in micro fabrication technology and microfluidics will be an advantage.

For more information and application please contact:

Dr. Dietrich Kohlheyer
Institute of Biotechnology 2
Micro Scale Bioengineering Group
Research Center Jülich
52425 Jülich, Germany

Phone: +49 (0)2461-61-2875
E-Mail: D.Kohlheyer@fz-juelich.de
WWW: www.fz-juelich.de