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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height:
normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"> <font size="3"><span
style="font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; color: black;">A PhD
studentship is available in the Department of Biochemistry
University of Oxford under the supervision of Dr. Sylvia
McLain. <br>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height:
normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font size="3"><span
style="font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; color: black;"><br>
The focus of this work is to observe the atomic and molecular
interactions between molecules which comprise cell membranes.
Life has evolved from single-celled organisms to more complex
multi-cellular organisms partially because of the
compartmentalization of cell membranes. One of the greatest
challenges in biophysics is to understand how membranes are
formed and function; as they are not only everywhere but are
also necessary to sustain life. Cell membranes control what
can go into and out of the cell, the so-called 'molecular
traffic' acting as gate-keepers. This role is important in
controlling disease, disease and nutritional balance in
different parts of the human body. Our research proposes to
look at the interactions between the molecules which make up
biological membranes on the atomic scale, where one can see
how individual atoms in different molecules interact with one
another. This is important because it reveals the details of
interactions and can inform us about how these interactions
take place. <br>
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<font size="3"><span style="font-family: 'arial', 'sans-serif';
color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'times new roman';
mso-fareast-language: en-gb"></span><span style="font-family:
'times new roman', 'serif'; color: black; font-size: 12pt;
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mso-fareast-language: en-gb"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<font size="3"><span style="font-family: 'arial', 'sans-serif';
color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'times new roman';
mso-fareast-language: en-gb">The techniques which will be used
to see the atomic structure of membranes are neutron scattering
techniques using the UK ISIS neutron facilities which are
located at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories in Oxfordshire (UK)
and managed by the UK government funded Science and Technology
Facilities Council (STFC). Measurements of these molecules using
neutrons show the details of interactions between the different
atoms present. Another technique which will be used is Nuclear
Magnetic Resonance (NMR) which allows for different atomic
aspects of the membrane to be seen. Combing this with computer
models, we will be able to build a structure of the membrane
which is atomically accurate.<br>
<br>
Details for formal applications are found here:
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?sectionid=howtoapply">http://www.bioch.ox.ac.uk/aspsite/index.asp?sectionid=howtoapply</a><br>
please quote Studentship Reference Code: EPSRC for a DPhil in
Biochemistry (Course code 003180)<br>
<br>
Informal enquires with CV are welcome and should be addressed to
Dr. Sylvia Mclain (<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:sylvia.mclain@bioch.ox.ac.uk">sylvia.mclain@bioch.ox.ac.uk</a>)<br>
<br>
<br>
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<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
----------
Dr. Sylvia McLain
Department of Biochemistry
University of Oxford
South Parks Road
OX1 3QU
Oxford, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1865 613 279
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:email:sylvia.mclain@bioch.ox.ac.uk">email:sylvia.mclain@bioch.ox.ac.uk</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www2.bioch.ox.ac.uk/mclaingroup/">http://www2.bioch.ox.ac.uk/mclaingroup/</a></pre>
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