NPP Seminars

NPP Seminars 2012

Autumn seminar series tba mid September
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Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology (NPP)

PhD Vacancy

4 year BBSRC DTG CASE studentship

University College London - Departments of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, and Electronic Engineering.

A quantitative model of imaging for the scanning ion conductance microscope.

Supervisors:

Dr. Guy Moss, Dr. F. Anibal Fernández, Dr. Giovanna De Filippi

Applications are invited for a four-year BBSRC Industrial CASE PhD Studentship to commence in October 2012. The successful applicant will be based at University College London but will also spend a substantial period of time working at ionscope Ltd (Cambridge), a leading nanotechnology company supplying scanning ion conductance microscopes.

Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) is a rapidly emerging scanning probe microscopy (SPM) technique particularly suited for high resolution topographic imaging of living cells and tissues in their physiological/culturing medium (Novak et al, 2009, Nature Methods, 6, 279-281). The probe, a glass nanopipette filled with electrolyte, is maintained at a fixed distance from the sample during scanning, so that unintended contact between the sample and the probe does not occur. This feature, unique to SICM, makes this SPM technique particularly suited for obtaining 3D images of living cells and for monitoring cellular movement or fine dynamic behavior of the cell membrane. In addition, the probe can be used to measure physiological events such as cell contraction or ion channel activation at precise locations on the cell surface (an exhaustive list of references can be found on the ionscope/company website; http://www.ionscope.com/). The inner diameter of the nanopipette tip is a critical factor in defining the resolution achievable with the technique.

Despite an increasing number of publications in which SICM has been used as research tool, to date a systematic investigation of the factors affecting image formation and resolution in SICM has not been performed. The first aim of this project is to build an improved finite element model (FEM) of SICM that can be used to understand the process of SICM image formation. The second aim of the project is to use insight from the model to devise and design calibration targets to be used to test and calibrate SICM probes.

The PhD student will benefit from working in a world-class research institute at UCL while enjoying the exciting experience of working in a small nanotechnology company. UCL provides an outstanding research environment including access to cleanroom and other specialist fabrication facilities in the London Centre for Nanotechnology. ionscope Ltd, leading manufacturer of SICM microscopes, is continuing to develop and improve a new generation of scanning ion conductance microscopes in its research and development facility.

Informal enquiries/further details. For more information and informal enquiries, please contact: Dr. Guy Moss (g.moss@ucl.ac.uk), Dr. Giovanna De Filippi (giovanna@ionscope.com) or Dr. F. Anibal Fernandez (a.fernandez@ee.ucl.ac.uk)

Application procedure: Applications, containing a CV, two letters of recommendation and a personal statement describing your research interests and experience should be sent by email to g.moss@ucl.ac.uk.

Before applying, please first check your eligibility http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/web/FILES/Guidelines/studentship_eligibility.pdf

Closing Date: Final closing date 30th March 2011. Initial shortlisting and informal interviews may be arranged before the final closing date.

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