PIF2025 - UN NUEVO ENFOQUE EN LA REGULACION A NIVEL MOLECULAR DE LA RUTA DE SEÑALIZACION TOR POR LUZ Y CO2 - (PID2024-162302NB-I00)

The main goal of the “TOR signaling and autophagy in microalgae” group is to understand how photosynthetic cells adapt their growth and metabolism to stress and challenging environmental conditions, using the unicellular microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as model system. The PhD researcher will be integrated in a dynamic scientific group where the predoctoral candidate will be able to develop his/her scientific skills, obtaining a solid training and scientific formation. The project will focus on fundamental questions in nutrient sensing and signaling by the TOR pathway. Thus, the predoctoral researcher will acquire a comprehensive view on the biology of microalgae and the TOR signaling pathway. We anticipate that the PhD will also obtain a strong background in cutting-edge techniques in biochemistry, molecular and synthetic biology, in addition to the state-of-the-art omic approaches and bioinformatic analysis. The specific objectives and tasks developed by the PhD researcher encompass the analysis of high light intensities and CO2 concentrations on TOR activity in different microalgae, including mesophilic and extremophilic species. Moreover, the PhD candidate will be enrolled in the identification of the TOR-interactome in response to light and carbon signals by proteomic approaches. The progress of the thesis and the formation of the PhD trainee will be daily supervised by the PI and senior members of the lab.