Mechanisms of Biological Membrane Sculpting

Cell-cell fusion is a universal biological process requiring fertilization (gamete fusion) and sculpting of organs from cells forming giant multinucleated cells. The goal of this project is to establish a biochemical in vitro system to follow cell fusion in a test tube and to study the molecular mechanism by which FF fusion proteins fuse and deform membranes. The work will be performed at Harvard Medical School and the Radcliffe Institute. 

A student with background in biochemistry and molecular biology will learn techniques and advanced research approaches in membrane biology. Lab experience is preferred. The student will help in fascinating experiments and will become familiar with frontier research in a top lab at Harvard. A second student with expertise in structural biology or structural bioinformatics will work at Radcliffe using computational approaches.