Knowing the 3D atomic structures is crucial for understanding the functions of macromolecules and chemical processes in biological systems. The information is also important for drug design. X-ray diffraction is presently the most important technique but requires large crystals. Electron microscopy (EM) and electron diffraction (ED) can be used for studying nano and micron-sized particles/crystals. Single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has made important breakthroughs for structure determination of macromolecules (awarded Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2017).
The group of Prof. Zou is internationally leading in developing and applying electron crystallographic methods to study novel atomic structures. Recently the method based on 3D electron diffraction (3D ED), also known as MicroED, has shown to be powerful in determining structures of novel inorganic crystals and pharmaceutics from nano- and microcrystals. It was identified as one of the 2018 ten breakthroughs by Science.
The PhD project aims at developing and applying new 3D ED methods to obtain structure information from microcrystals of pharmaceutics and proteins. The project is funded as one of the 22 Wallenberg Scholars awards 2018 by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation. The focus can be either method development including programming and machine learning, or applications of the methods on new pharmaceutics and proteins using advanced cryo-EM techniques.
The student will be part of a large group working on one or all the subprojects, depending on her/his background and interests. The project requires close collaboration with synthetic chemists and biochemists from academia and industry. She/he should have a strong collaborative and communication skill, be self-motivated and a good team player. Good knowledge on computers and programming are desired but not necessary. The candidate should have a Master or equivalent degree in Physics, Biochemistry, Chemistry or Materials Sciences.
For more information and to apply, click here.
