Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Jan Konvalinka

Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is a metallopeptidase expressed in the brain where it cleaves neurotransmitter N-acetylated aspartylglutamate and is involved in pathologic conditions like stroke and neurodegenerative disorders. It is also highly expressed in the prostate  and its level is elevated in prostate cancer. Its function in other tissues is  unknown. The aim of the project is to reveal the function and involvement of this enzyme and its closest homolog GCPII/GCPIII in physiologic and pathologic conditions using recently developed GCPIII knock out mice.

We look for highly motivated candidate enjoying work in multidisciplinary team capable of working at the interface between molecular biology, biochemistry and structural biology. The methods actively used involve tissue dissections, homogenization, Western blotting, sample preparation for mass spectrometry, recombinant DNA cloning, protein expression and characterization and transgenic mouse colony management.