PhD Studentship: Visualising Protein Structure and Dynamics: Developing New Tools for Experimental Approaches to Molecular Dynamics

Funding

EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentship offering the award of fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant of £19,237 per year for 3.5 years. 

Lead Supervisor’s full name & email address

Dr Briony Yorke – b.a.yorke@leeds.ac.uk  

Co-supervisor name(s)

To be confirmed

Project summary

In this PhD project you will develop and apply novel methods that enable the observation of protein dynamics, from the molecular to cellular level. This will contribute to our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms that underlie protein stability, drive biological processes and contribute to the development of disease.

Our group uses primarily time-resolved X-ray crystallography, imaging and spectroscopy to probe functionally relevant changes in biomolecular structure. Most recently we have used these techniques to investigate the molecular basis of cataract formation, focusing on UV induced structural changes and REDOX chemistry in the eye lens. This model system will form the basis of methods development including utilising novel data collection strategies for time-resolved X-ray crystallography and X-ray phase contrast imaging.

This project would suit a student interested in structural biology, chemistry or physics and willing to learn about experimental approaches to  visualising protein dynamics.

Please state your entry requirements plus any necessary or desired background

First or Upper Second Class UK Bachelor (Honours) or equivalent

Subject Area

Structural Biology, Physical Chemistry

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