About the Project
Cryo-electron microscopy has emerged as a powerful tool to gather high-resolution information on large macromolecules. We use cryo-electron microscopy to study the three-dimensional structure of assemblies that are pivotal to fundamental cellular mechanisms such as DNA replication, CRISPR interference and RNA processing.
This PhD project focusses on the three-dimensional structural determination of Staufen2 protein complexes on RNA. Our ultimate goal is to understand how Staufen2 selects RNA molecules for transport on neurons, using electron microscopy coupled to single particle analysis approaches.
The student will be part of an international research team, and will have an opportunity to learn structural electron microscopy as well as the biochemical and biophysical techniques needed to prepare samples for such analysis.
Glasgow is a vibrant city, the largest in Scotland, and it is very student-friendly.
Contact: [Email Address Removed]
Personal profile: http://www.gla.ac.uk/researchinstitutes/biology/staff/lauraspagnolo/
References
1 Nogales, E. & Scheres, S. H. Cryo-EM: A Unique Tool for the Visualization of Macromolecular Complexity. Molecular cell 58, 677-689, doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2015.02.019 (2015).
2 Kuhlbrandt, W. Biochemistry. The resolution revolution. Science 343, 1443-1444, doi:10.1126/science.1251652 (2014).
3 Morris, E. P. et al. Evidence for a remodelling of DNA-PK upon autophosphorylation from electron microscopy studies. Nucleic acids research 39, 5757-5767, doi:10.1093/nar/gkr146 (2011).
4 Rouillon, C. et al. Structure of the CRISPR interference complex CSM reveals key similarities with cascade. Molecular cell 52, 124-134, doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2013.08.020 (2013).
5 Spagnolo, L., Barbeau, J., Curtin, N. J., Morris, E. P. & Pearl, L. H. Visualization of a DNA-PK/PARP1 complex. Nucleic acids research 40, 4168-4177, doi:10.1093/nar/gkr1231 (2012).
6 Zhang, J. et al. Structure and mechanism of the CMR complex for CRISPR-mediated antiviral immunity. Molecular cell 45, 303-313, doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2011.12.013 (2012).