Borrelia burgdorferi BmpD is a substrate-binding protein (SBP) that utilizes a membrane bound ABC-transporter complex to transport molecules into the bacterial cytoplasm. The aim of the project is to study the binding interactions and dynamics of substrate-binding proteins and their ABC transporter. The student would search for experimental structures of SBPs and ABC transporters and analyse in detail those that are similar to the Borrelia proteins, with the aim of identifying residues that are involved in the interactions. Furthermore, the dynamics of the interaction would be studied using Molecular Dynamic simulations.
Biosciences background on the level of 3rd year BSc or MSc student, basic knowledge of protein structures, basic laboratory skills.