PhD studentship available

[Rickman, Colin]

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Hi

I have a PhD studentship available in my lab starting Autumn 2014. I would be grateful if you could pass this on to any students you think may be interested.

Thanks

Colin
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Development of light-regulated tools for biomedical research

The Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering (http://www.ib3.eps.hw.ac.uk) at Heriot-Watt University is offering a fully funded PhD project to develop a suite of light-regulated tools to study cellular communication and homeostasis. This multidisciplinary project will combine synthetic biology, protein biochemistry, cell biology and super-resolution microscopy to answer key questions in insulin secretion.

The use of light to examine biological form and function has been a cornerstone of biomedical research for over 350 years. In the intervening period biological advances have mirrored the development of new optical technologies increasing sensitivity, resolution and speed. Coupled with the ability to selectively label specific cellular molecules, with spectrally resolvable fluorophores, fluorescence optical microscopy provides the state-of-the-art non-invasive approach to probe intracellular function. In addition to observing fluorophores using microscopy, it is now possible to use these fluorophores to alter the biochemical properties of proteins in a light dependent manner. Effectively this means the binding of proteins and the activity of enzymes can be switched on and off repeatedly using targeted illumination of regions of the cell.

This project will develop a new class of photoswitchable toxins to study the biochemical pathway of insulin secretion in living cells. The successful applicant will learn a wide variety of skills including synthetic biology, protein biochemistry, mammalian cell biology, super-resolution microscopy and image processing. A significant part of this project will involve molecular biology and protein synthesis to optimise toxin activity and light dependent switching. Candidates must therefore have a strong background in biochemistry with experience in molecular biology and/or protein biochemistry desirable. In addition, previous research laboratory experience will be beneficial. The ideal candidate will have a 1st or good 2.1 degree in biochemistry chemistry or an associated biology subject.

Interested candidates should contact Dr Colin Rickman ([hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>) with a full CV and cover letter before 1st March 2014.

Dr Colin Rickman
Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering
School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS

Tel: [phone] (Office)

http://www.ib3.eps.hw.ac.uk
http://www.esric.org




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