This project proposes the use of cutting-edge atomic spectroscopy instrumentation in combination with nano-extraction techniques for the elemental profiling of biological tissues, to push the boundaries of analytical chemistry towards single-cell analysis.
The determination of metals ions in biological samples is key in diverse areas of biomedicine, including drug delivery and diagnosis. The regulation of the concentration of trace elements in the phagosome is known to be a critical strategy for the survival of the intracellular organisms and host defence against infection. In particular, redistribution of nutrients such as Fe and Mn, have been found to contribute to “nutritional immunity”, while other elements, such as Cu and Zn, tent to accumulate within the phagosome in order to limit bacterial growth. It has also been suggested that resistance to diverse metals (including non-essential and potentially toxic metals) and antibiotics are often genetically linked. Therefore, knowledge of the mineral status at cellular (single) or sub-cellular levels in conjunction to molecular analysis (drugs, lipids and metabolites) is fundamental to understand the heterogeneity of cells response to drug treatment.
Novel single-cell techniques are attracting growing interest for clinical applications, because they can elucidate the cellular heterogeneity instead of the average masked by bulk measurements. This project aims to integrate DAPNe (direct analyte probed nano-extraction) and other nano manipulation approaches with the potential of ultra-trace elemental analysis by ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). The use of laser ablation (LA) and laser induce breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is proposed as the ideal interface for the introduction of extracted nano-aliquots into the elemental mass spectrometer, and for the elemental mapping of biological tissues.
The multidisciplinary supervisory team gather expertise in elemental analysis by mass spectrometry (Dr Felipe-Sotelo), bioimaging and nanoextraction (Dr Bailey) and biosciences (Dr Beste).
This is a 3- year project starting in October 2021.
Entry requirements
PhD candidates must have a first class or good 2/1 Masters or BSc degree in a relevant scientific discipline in chemistry, physics, biochemistry or environmental sciences.
English language requirements: IELTS Academic 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted via the Chemistry PhD programme page on the "Apply" tab.
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