PhD in Chemistry - Multiphoton-induced single-molecule fluorescence of amino acids

Candidates are invited to apply for a PhD position in the Magennis research group in the School of Chemistry, which is available to start from 1^st October 2024. The PhD project will develop and apply state-of-the-art single-molecule fluorescence techniques to study novel fluorescent amino acids.

Background: Single-molecule methods provide unique information about the structure, dynamics and interactions of biomolecules. Since most naturally occurring biomolecules are non-emissive, they require a fluorescent label, but such labels have the potential to disturb the structures and processes of interest. Rather than using external dyes, a better solution for many applications would be the use of fluorescent versions of the biomolecular building blocks. However, such intrinsic fluorophores have not yet found application in ultrasensitive detection due to their short excitation wavelengths, with low signal:background and a propensity to photobleaching. The Magennis research group has developed a new approach to single-molecule detection using multiphoton excitation with femtosecond infrared lasers [1]. We have demonstrated that fluorescent analogues of the natural DNA nucleobases can be detected at the single-molecule level [2,3], and in collaboration with the Sutherland research group have shown that fluorescent amino acids can also be detected via two-photon excitation [4, 5], albeit not yet at the single-molecule level.

The project: The goal of this project is to push the detection of fluorescent amino acids to the ultimate single-molecule level. It will use novel a-amino acids synthesized by the Sutherland lab. The successful candidate will gain experience of cutting-edge fluorescence techniques, ultrafast lasers, and the single-molecule characterisation of biomolecules.

Applications are invited now for this fully-funded 3.5 year PhD studentship in the Magennis group at the School of Chemistry, which will start in October 2024.

Eligibility: Applications are encouraged from highly motivated candidates who have, or expect to have, at least a 2:1 degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Physics or a closely related subject. 

Informal enquiries are welcome: please contact Dr. Steven Magennis (steven.magennis@glasgow.ac.uk) directly and include a CV. 

How to Apply: Please refer to the following website for details on how to apply:

http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/opportunities/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/.