CASE PhD Studentship

University of Leeds, School of Physics & Astronomy, and Unilever (Port Sunlight Research Laboratories)

Phase behaviour and dynamics of lipid bilayer membranes

Biomembranes are an important functional component of any cell, comprising lipid and sterol molecules that form an impervious bilayer structure. Model mixtures of lipids and cholesterol spontaneously self assemble into bilayers that possess complex phase behaviour, depenent upon composition, temperature, solution chemistry and substrate. The main goal of this work is to investigate the biophysics of lipid bilayer membranes that closely mimic those of real biological systems, predominantly using Atomic Force Microscopy. Building upon recent breakthroughs, the areas we wish to investigate further are phase behaviour, in particular the formation of stable liquid domains, or rafts; the kinetics of domain formation and rules governing domain morphology; mechanical and rheological properties of supported membranes with nanometer spatial resolution; and how the introduction of detergents, proteins and drug molecules alters the membranes physical properties.

The project is an EPSRC-funded studentship appropriate for a student with UK status, and is part of a collaboration between the University of Leeds and Unilever. The student can begin immediately. In addition to the usual EPSRC stipend (12,500 GBP/annum) and fees, the student will receive a CASE top-up of an additional 2500 GBP per annum.

For further information please contact
Professor Peter Olmsted, tel 0113 343 3830
Dr Simon Connell, tel 0113 343 3829
School of Physics and Astronomy
University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT

Please look here for application forms and further information.