Prof C Eggeling, Prof M Fritzsche
No more applications being accepted
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
Over recent years, several examples have shown that the actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in actively reorganising molecules in the plasma membrane during cellular signalling. This notably holds for the cortical actin cytoskeleton of immune cells that is thought to be somehow involved in the coordination of their activation at all stages (1). Understanding the role of the actin cytoskeleton is now becoming one of the most contentious questions in immunology but progress has previously been limited, mainly due to the use of conventional-resolution microscopy, which inevitably misses essential details due to limited resolution.
While these imaging techniques are currently probably the most valuable tools for directly investigating the living cell with minimal invasion, similar objects closer together than approximately 200 nm cannot be distinguished and details of the molecular organisation and dynamics of cytoskeleton-associated structures cannot be recovered directly. A remedy to this are recently developed more advanced microscopy techniques, such as super-resolution optical nanoscopy (2), actin-specific turnover measurements (3), the from us improved method of traction force microscopy (4) by using STED nanoscopy, as well as the simultaneous measurement of molecular turnover and forces by combining fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) (5).
We aim to characterise the molecular reorganisation dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton that lead to active force generation during T-cell activation by the simultaneous read-out of the turnover dynamics of actin and key proteins involved in the activation process such as the T-cell receptor and forces applied by the T-cell. We expect these novel experiments to highlight, in thus far unprecedented detail, the role that the actin cytoskeleton plays in the activation of T-cells, and to create a critical framework for understanding immune responses.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
This project will be based in the MRC Human Immunology Unit at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, with access to state-of-the-art facilities. The project provides an opportunity for training in a broad range of different techniques, such as cell culture, molecular biology, and advanced microscopy, specifically including super-resolution optical microscopy and force measurement techniques such as STED or AFM. The disclosure of novel details of T-cell activation is an important line of basic immunological research that may translate into new approaches of modulating the immune response during infection.
As well as the specific training detailed above, students will have access to a wide-range of seminars and training opportunities through the many research institutes and centres based in Oxford. Students are also able to attend the Methods and Techniques course run by the MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. This course runs through the year, ensuring that students have the opportunity to build a broad-based understanding of differing research techniques.
Generic skills training is offered through the Medical Sciences Division’s Skills Training Programme. This programme offers a comprehensive range of courses covering many important areas of researcher development: knowledge and intellectual abilities, personal effectiveness, research governance and organisation, and engagement, influence and impact. Students are actively encouraged to take advantage of the training opportunities available to them.
The Department has a successful mentoring scheme, open to graduate students, which provides an additional possible channel for personal and professional development outside the regular supervisory framework. We hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award in recognition of our efforts to support the careers of female students and staff.
Funding Notes
Funding for this project is available to basic scientists through the RDM Scholars Programme, which offers funding to outstanding candidates from any country. Successful candidates will have all tuition and college fees paid and will receive a stipend of £18,000 per annum.
For October 2018 entry, the application deadline is 8th January 2018 at 12 noon (midday).
Please visit our website for more information on how to apply.
References
1 A.A. Smoligovets, A.W. Smith, H.-J. Wu, R.S. Petit, J.T. Groves. Characterization of dynamic actin associations with T-cell receptor microclusters in primary T cells . J Cell Science (2012).
2 C. Eggeling, K.I. Willig, S. J.Sahl, S.W. Hell. Lens-based fluorescence nanoscopy . Quart Rev Biophys (2015).
3 M. Fritzsche, A. Lewalle, T. Duke, K. Kruse, G. Charras. Analysis of turnover dynamics of the submembranous actin cortex . Mol Biol Cell (2013).
4 R.W. Style, R. Boltyanskiy, G.K. German, C. Hyland, C.W. MacMinn, A.F. Mertz, L.A. Wilen, Y. Xuc and E.R. Dufresne. Traction force microscopy in physics and biology . Soft Matter (2014) .
5 E. Moeendarbary, A.R. Harris. Cell mechanics: principles, practises, and prospects. WIREs Systems Biology and Medicine.