CXS - Opportunities

Viral Control of Host Cell Death Signalling

2011-03-09T03:49:27Z

Viral Control of Host Cell Death Signalling

We are interested in proteins that allow viruses to proliferate and survive in mammalian hosts. For this purpose, we will express and purify viral and mammalian proteins involved in this process, and determine their structures using X-ray crystallography. Structural studies will be complemented by biochemical and functional studies.Location: La Trobe University, Bundoora campus
Supervisor: Dr Marc Kvansakul

Further Information for Applicants:
Applications may be made by students who have completed at least 3 years of a Relevant BSc degree. Application forms are available from the CXS Available Scholarships webpage

Ultra Cold Plasma Source

2011-03-09T03:48:48Z

Ultra Cold Plasma Source

We are exploring the physics of laser-atom interactions on an experimental and theoretical basis, in particular with ultracold atoms. We have developed new imaging algorithms for ultracold atom clouds which will enable us to control the ultracold shape and thereby optimize the electron brightness of our new source. We are also using the ultracold atom cloud to produce high-resolution ion beams, and for investigating fundamental physics with ultracold Rydberg atoms.

Location: University of Melbourne, Parkville campus
Supervisor: Associate Professor Rob Scholten

Theory and Modelling

2011-03-09T03:48:09Z

Theory and Modelling

We model electron-photon interactions in X-ray imaging experiments. This also involves the development of algorithms and techniques in high-performance computation, relativistic quantum mechanics and quantum field theories.

Other projects include tests of quantum electrodynamics in the strong external fields limit; parity and time-reversal violation in electronic systems; implementation of relativistic electronic structure models, and their application to chemical and physical studies of atoms, molecules, clusters and solids containing heavy elements.

Location: University of Melbourne, Parkville campus
Supervisor: Dr Harry Quiney

“Super-Resolution” Microscopy

2011-03-09T03:47:22Z

“Super-Resolution” Microscopy

Optical microscopy is typically limited to spatial resolution of several hundreds of nanometres. New “super-resolution” optical methods are being developed that can improve spatial resolution to the tens of nanometres scale. This project aims to develop one such method, structured illumination microscopy, and apply it to polymeric materials and biological samples.

Location: Ultrafast and Microspectroscopy Laboratories, Chemistry, University of Melbourne
Supervisor:

Studies of Protein Trafficking and Cellular Organisation in Malaria Parasite-infected Erythrocytes

2011-03-09T03:46:41Z

Studies of Protein Trafficking and Cellular Organisation in Malaria Parasite-infected Erythrocytes

This project will use a combination of high resolution imaging techniques including electron tomography, super-resolution optical microscopy and X-ray microscopy to study the cellular architecture of malaria parasites.

Location: La Trobe University, Bundoora campus
Supervisor: Professor Leann Tilley

Protein Expression and Purification

2011-03-09T03:46:06Z

Protein Expression and Purification

This project revolves around expression and purification of recombinant proteins involved in mitochondrial disease. The proteins will be subjected to structural analysis using X-ray techniques.

Location: La Trobe University, Bundoora campus
Supervisor: Professor Mike Ryan

Mitochondrial Imaging

2011-03-09T03:45:14Z

Mitochondrial Imaging

The networks of mitochondria within cancer cells will be investigated using microscopic techniques at high and super resolution.

Location: La Trobe University, Bundoora campus
Supervisor: Professor Mike Ryan

Metals in Alzheimer’s Disease by Combined Synchrotron-based Approaches

2011-03-09T03:44:25Z

Metals in Alzheimer’s Disease by Combined Synchrotron-based Approaches

The aim of this project is to dissect transition metal interactions of various folding forms of amyloid-β (Aβ) species in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), utilising the combined synchrotron-based approaches of X-ray absorption spectroscopy, microscopy and diffraction. We hypothesize that solving such Aβ structures will provide insight into structure-function of Aβ metal binding, production of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and AD brain oxidative stress; and help the design, selection and discovery of novel chemical entities (NCEs) towards novel AD diagnostics and therapeutics.

This project will include collaboration with University of Melbourne Bio21 and Mental Health Research Institute.

Location: CSIRO, Parkville
Supervisor: Dr Victor Streltsov

Loss of Cell Polarity during Tumourigenesis

2011-03-09T03:43:20Z

Loss of Cell Polarity during Tumourigenesis

Loss of cell polarity is a key event during epithelial tumour development. We aim to study the molecular mechanism underlying cell polarity by producing key components of cell polarity regulatory modules recombinantly for structural studies using X-ray crystallography. Structural studies will be complemented by biochemical and functional studies.

Location: La Trobe University, Bundoora campus
Supervisor: Dr Marc Kvansakul

Generation & Application of High-Order Harmonics

2011-03-09T03:42:29Z

Generation & Application of High-Order Harmonics

Coherent extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray radiation produced by high order harmonic generation (HHG) of high power femtosecond laser pulses are currently finding wide application in physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology. The main activity of our group is to improve the conversion efficiencies and the coherence properties of our HHG source and to increase the harmonic photon energy down to the water window region between 2 and 5 nm. The HHG source will be applied to the development of new imaging techniques and to the study of ultrafast dynamics of atom and molecules.

Location: Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn Campus
Supervisor: Professor Lap Van Dao and Professor Peter Hannaford