Physical Sciences of Imaging in the Biomedical Sciences: Understanding the biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles via high resolution imaging and modelling at the nanoscale

The University of Birmingham is offering the opportunity for further study at the interface between the different science, engineering and medicine disciplines, providing a career route for graduates to the imaging industry, pushing the boundaries of this field to improve health care.

Pilot studies show possibilities to image metallic crystals on cell surfaces by high resolution TEM to the atomic scale, clearly showing crystal faces and cell matrices. Being normally hydrated, cell matrices collapse in a vacuum under HRTEM but ESEM can be used for hydrated samples, preserving the cell surface material. These techniques and resultant images promote a better understanding of biocrystal growth. The aim of this project is to use different bacteria and specific alterations of the bacterial cells (mutants) to obtain modified crystals, either in (a) their structure, (b) the mechanism of their synthesis and bacterial processing, or (c) in the means of their interaction with the bacterial surface. The outcome of the project will be an ability to relate the specific changes we impose to changes in the structures we observe during biomanufacture and to the final potential usefulness of the biocrystals in biomedicine and the environment.

Supervisors: Prof L E Macaskie, Prof R N Palmer, Prof R L Johnston, Dr J Wood.

Applications for entry in 2013 are open to students that have, or expect to obtain, a good 2:1 (Hons) or 1st class degree (or equivalent EU/overseas degree) in a physical scientific subject (Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering or Mathematics accepted).

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To find out more about studying for a PhD at the University of Birmingham, including full details of the research undertaken in each school, the funding opportunities for each subject, and guidance on making your application, you can now order your copy of the new Doctoral Research Prospectus, at: www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/drp.aspx
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Please find additional funding text below. For further funding details, please see the ‘Funding’ section.

The School of Biosciences offers a number of UK Research Council (e.g. BBSRC, NERC) PhD studentships each year. Fully funded research council studentships are normally only available to UK nationals (or EU nationals resident in the UK) but part-funded studentships may be available to EU applicants resident outside of the UK. The deadline for applications for research council studentships is in January each year.

Each year we also have a number of fully funded Darwin Trust Scholarships. These are provided by the Darwin Trust of Edinburgh and are for non-UK students wishing to undertake a PhD in the general area of Molecular Microbiology. The deadline for this scheme is also in January each year.

Please note the only funding available for our PhD is via the Scholarships mentioned. All applicants should indicate in their applications how they intend to fund their studies. Any academically suitable applicant that does not indicate how they intend to fund their studies will be considered for the Darwin and/or the Elite Scholarships if not already indicated. We can only consider applicants who have their own funding or wish to apply for their own funding or are successful in gaining a Scholarship.