Dynamic structural study of scaffolding proteins FtsZ and MipZ in Rhodobacter sphaeroides using ultra-high spatial-temporal resolution structured illu

This project focuses on developing a novel microscopy tool for live cell imaging which combines a Solid Immersion Lens with Structured Illumination Microscopy. It is thought that this technique will provide improved spatial and temporal resolution allowing greater understanding of cellular organisation, particularly in organisms as small as bacteria. The project will also employ other imaging techniques such as 3D Photo-activated Localisation Microscopy, Spinning Disk Confocal Microscopy Super Resolution Radial Fluctuations and Single Particle Tracking to compliment the primary technique being developed.
This imaging approach will be tested on Rhodobacter sphaeroides, a gram negative purple bacterium which is widely studied in the Armitage Lab. The focus will be to image two key proteins employed in cell division; FtsZ and MipZ. Both form polymer rings at the divisome of the cell prior to division, however the exact behaviour and position of these rings relative to each other cannot be resolved using techniques currently available. WCUB, ENWW