Modelling regulation of self-assembly of cellular organelles using molecular dynamics and differential equations

Interested individuals must follow Steps 1, 2 and 3 at this link on how to apply
http://www.ed.ac.uk/biology/prospective-students/postgraduate/pgr/how-to-apply


This project aims to build a biophysical description and quantitative understanding of a fundamental cell-biological process: self-organized assembly of organelles that are not delimited by membranes. These include centrosomes and kinetochores – cellular structures necessary for equal segregation of genetic material. These structures undergo complex transitions during the cell cycle and can self-assemble and change their size and chemical composition. These processes are known to be under complex biochemical regulation but the detailed understanding of the underlying biophysical principles is lacking.

The student is expected to contribute to this exciting problem by building particle based models of increasing complexity, using stochastic methods, such as software for molecular dynamics simulations, LAMMPS. This approach will be complemented by building mean-field reaction-diffusion models of self-assembly. Under joint supervision together with a leading expert in statistical soft-matter physics, the student will learn analytical and numerical methods of modern soft matter physics, pattern-formation in reaction-diffusion systems and self-organization in systems far from thermodynamic equilibrium.

We are a computational cell biology group studying biophysical mechanisms of cellular morphogenesis using mathematical modelling as our major tool. We work on a variety of biological systems in close collaboration with the leading experimental cell biology labs worldwide. More information on our research goals and achievements, as well as our people and environment is available at the group site http://goryachev.bio.ed.ac.uk We offer interdisciplinary collaborative environment in which students not only learn novel modelling methods and computational techniques, but also acquire practical hands-on cell biology experience and soft skills, such as the ability to communicate across the discipline boundaries. We are looking for motivated, enthusiastic young people with the background in physical, life and computational sciences and engineering who are passionate about biology.