New tools for structural cell biology

Do you like microscopes? This is the project for you!
One of the ultimate aims of structural biology is to understand the structure of macromolecules, and the complexes they make, in their cellular environment. This long-held goal is becoming a reality thanks to advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM). In this project, you will primarily use cryo-electron tomography (CryoET), a state-of-the-art tool in modern structural and cell biology which allows us to obtain incredibly detailed images of cells and their macromolecular complexes, and build this into a 3D structure. You will combine cryoET, with complementary imaging techniques including fluorescence and soft-X ray imaging to build a multi-resolution view of cellular phenomena. The focus will be on developing new tools to streamline the study of cells and tissues using cryoEM, such as micropatterning technologies to improve success rate of sample preparation, you will work at the forefront of technology development, applying the tools developed to understand how viruses and amyloid aggregates enter cells.