UK; PhD Studentship in Bionanotechnology

PhD Studentship in Bionanotechnology:
Man-made Transmembrane Molecular Transporters Built from Biological Components.

Due to funding restrictions this PhD studentship is only open to UK nationals, or EU nationals currently resident within the UK. The position is available to start any time before October 2009. This is a tax-free stipend covering tuition fees and living expenses at the standard EPSRCrate (commencing at ~£13,000 per year).

Project:
Interfacing biological components in non-natural ways provides opportunities for the creation of molecular devices with applications in bionanotechnology. We have developed a supramolecular device for resolving sub-nanometre displacements of a single DNA molecule threaded through a transmembrane pore protein. This approach has allowed the extension of a single DNA molecule by DNA polymerase to be resolved with single-base resolution for the first time.1 (research highlighted in ‘Nature’, ‘Nature Biotechnology’ and ‘ACS Chemical Biology’).

Whilst transmembrane molecular transporters have essential roles in biology, such a device has never been constructed by man. This PhD studentship seeks to build upon our established approach and will result in the construction of the first-ever man-made transmembrane molecular transportation devices built from DNA and protein components. The interdisciplinary nature of this project will provide training in a broad range of methods spanning the fields of chemistry, molecular biology and biophysics:
• single-molecule detection using patch-clamp electrophysiology
• theoretical background in single-molecule biophysical techniques
• handling biomolecules (proteins/DNA)

Applications:
Applications must be recieved before 30th April ‘09 (or as soon after this date as possible).
Applicants should possess a steady hand and express a keen interest in molecular machines. Previous research experience in molecular biology is desirable, but not essential. Due to funding restrictions, applicants MUSTbe UK nationals, or EU nationals currently resident within the UK. Applicants should be in possession of (or expecting to obtain) a first class or upper-second class degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry or other cognate discipline before the 1st Oct ‘09. To apply, email a copy of your CV to scott.cockroft@ed.ac.uk. Please include a brief description of previous research experience, and the contact details of two referees.

Further information:http://www.chem.ed.ac.uk/staff/academic/cockroft.html

1. “A Single-Molecule Nanopore Device Detects DNA Polymerase Activity with Single-Nucleotide Resolution” S. L. Cockroft, J. Chu, M. Amorin, M. R. Ghadiri. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 818–820.http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ja077082c

Featured in Nature: “Supramolecular Chemistry: Embrace the Base”http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7178/full/451502a.html

Nature Nanotechnology: “Nanopores: Detecting DNA”http://npg.nature.com/nnano/reshigh/2008/0108/full/nnano.2008.23.html

ACS Chemical Biology: “Sensing Single Base Incorporation with Nanopore Micromanipulation” http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/cb8000205

Informal enquiries should be directed to scott.cockroft@ed.ac.uk Tel: 0131 650 4758