The plant kingdom is characterized by a high level of developmental plasticity, including the ability of plants to form embryos in the absence of fertilization. Microspore embryogenesis is a form of totipotency in which immature male haploid gametophytes (microspores and pollen) are induced to form embryos in vitro. These haploid embryos can be converted by chromosome doubling to diploid homozygous (doubled-haploid) plants in a single generation, placing this technology in the centre of numerous breeding and trait discovery applications. Although microspore embryogenesis is a widely-applied plant breeding tool, there are many genotypes, and even entire species, that remain recalcitrant for this process, including the model plant arabidopsis. The switch from pollen growth to embryo growth in vitro has been well-described at the cellular level, but the molecular mechanisms driving this process remain elusive (Soriano et al., 2013: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23852380). We have shown that chemical inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACi), which epigenetically control gene expression, are potent inducers of plant cell totipotency in microspore embryo culture (Li et al., 2014: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24464291). In this project, we will unravel the mechanism by which HDACi promote cell totipotency. We will use Brassica napus and arabidopsis as model systems to identify and characterize the specific HDAC proteins that repress totipotency and their target genes and proteins.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated post-doc with a background in chromatin- or transcription factor biology, bioinformatics analysis of NGS data sets, and general (plant) molecular biology. Affinity for tissue culture and/or developmental biology is preferred. Candidates should be proficient in English, proactive and independent, and should also enjoy working in an international 'team' environment. Candidates from non-plant fields are also encouraged to apply.

We offer you a temporary contract for 12 months, which will be extended with an additional two years upon satisfactory performance. The maximum gross salary per month is € 4.274,- (based on full-time employment). In addition, we offer a holiday allowance of 8%- and an end-of-the-year bonus of 8.3% of your annual salary.

Wageningen University & Research

Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Plant Development Systems
Our main research focus is on transcriptional regulation of plant development, including embryogenesis, flowering, floral organ development and fruit development. We apply methods like ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, proteomics, yeast n-hybrid screening and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies to build gene regulatory networks and study the role of the genes and proteins involved in these networks. We mainly use the model species arabidopsis for our research, but also aim to understand to what extent the networks and individual gene functions are conserved in crop species, including tomato, brassicas, sweet pepper and tulip.
For additional information about the group visit https://www.wur.nl/en/Persons/Gerco-prof.dr.ir.-GC-Gerco-Angenent.htm

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With approximately 30 locations, 5,000 employees, and 10,000 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

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