Overview
Advances in optical microscopy coupled with new transgenic mouse and zebrafish reagents have created an opportunity for developmental biologists and optical physicists from Newcastle and Durham Universities to collaborate in an advanced imaging initiative to develop a selective plane illumination microscope (SPIM). The student will join a vibrant interdisciplinary team based at the Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle University, to develop and exploit this modality to visualise vertebrate development.
During the MRes, the student will image zebrafish embryos expressing fluorescent constructs to test the hypothesis that the embryonic heart is a peristaltic rather than an impedance pump. They will utilise existing microscopy techniques to image developing zebrafish embryonic hearts both at speeds high enough to image the rapidly beating heart and also for periods long enough to follow complex morphogenetic changes. Mathematical image analysis using deconvolution and de-noising software (in Amira and Matlab environments) will be introduced, allowing morphological changes in the cardiovascular system, related to flow within the circulation, to be visualised. During the PhD phase, the student will extend this work to develop novel systems for maintaining mouse embryos in culture during SPIM imaging. One focus of this work will be visualisation of individual cells migrating to form the beating embryonic heart. This will complement existing in vitro studies in the laboratory.
You will receive training in developmental biology and physiology of the heart; use of mouse and zebrafish models, including transgenesis and cre-lox technology; systems biology approaches to development; applied optics and advanced imaging techniques up to and including SPIM with adaptive optics; as well as expertise with computer based simulation platforms such as Matlab and Amira. At the end of this training you will have acquired the generic skills to perform outstanding research in any biological field that requires high resolution quantitative imaging in vivo.
Project start date: September 2010
Eligibility and Value of the Award
Depending on how you meet the EPSRC's eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to a full or a partial award. A full award covers tuition fees and an annual stipend of £13,290 (2009/10). A partial award covers fees only.
Person Specification
You should have, or expect to achieve, a first-class or upper-second-class Honours degree, in biology or a physics-based science.
How to Apply
Please complete the University's postgraduate application form. Select "Master of Research/Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Sciences) -Human Genetics" as the programme of study. Only mandatory fields need to be completed (no personal statement required) but you must attach a copy of your CV and a covering letter, quoting the title of the studentship and reference number IHG82.
Supervisors: Dr Bill Chaudhry, Professor Deb Henderson and Gordon Love (Durham University)
Sponsor: EPSRC
Closing date: 30th April 2010
Further Information
For more details, please contact Dr Bill Chaudhry, Bill.Chaudhry@newcastle.ac.uk
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this scholarship
Advances in optical microscopy coupled with new transgenic mouse and zebrafish reagents have created an opportunity for developmental biologists and optical physicists from Newcastle and Durham Universities to collaborate in an advanced imaging initiative to develop a selective plane illumination microscope (SPIM). The student will join a vibrant interdisciplinary team based at the Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle University, to develop and exploit this modality to visualise vertebrate development.
During the MRes, the student will image zebrafish embryos expressing fluorescent constructs to test the hypothesis that the embryonic heart is a peristaltic rather than an impedance pump. They will utilise existing microscopy techniques to image developing zebrafish embryonic hearts both at speeds high enough to image the rapidly beating heart and also for periods long enough to follow complex morphogenetic changes. Mathematical image analysis using deconvolution and de-noising software (in Amira and Matlab environments) will be introduced, allowing morphological changes in the cardiovascular system, related to flow within the circulation, to be visualised. During the PhD phase, the student will extend this work to develop novel systems for maintaining mouse embryos in culture during SPIM imaging. One focus of this work will be visualisation of individual cells migrating to form the beating embryonic heart. This will complement existing in vitro studies in the laboratory.
You will receive training in developmental biology and physiology of the heart; use of mouse and zebrafish models, including transgenesis and cre-lox technology; systems biology approaches to development; applied optics and advanced imaging techniques up to and including SPIM with adaptive optics; as well as expertise with computer based simulation platforms such as Matlab and Amira. At the end of this training you will have acquired the generic skills to perform outstanding research in any biological field that requires high resolution quantitative imaging in vivo.
Project start date: September 2010
Eligibility and Value of the Award
Depending on how you meet the EPSRC's eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to a full or a partial award. A full award covers tuition fees and an annual stipend of £13,290 (2009/10). A partial award covers fees only.
Person Specification
You should have, or expect to achieve, a first-class or upper-second-class Honours degree, in biology or a physics-based science.
How to Apply
Please complete the University's postgraduate application form. Select "Master of Research/Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Sciences) -Human Genetics" as the programme of study. Only mandatory fields need to be completed (no personal statement required) but you must attach a copy of your CV and a covering letter, quoting the title of the studentship and reference number IHG82.
Supervisors: Dr Bill Chaudhry, Professor Deb Henderson and Gordon Love (Durham University)
Sponsor: EPSRC
Closing date: 30th April 2010
Further Information
For more details, please contact Dr Bill Chaudhry, Bill.Chaudhry@newcastle.ac.uk
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this scholarship
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