Biochemistry

Two-photon polarization microscopy, a technique developed in our laboratory (Lazar & al., Nature Methods 2011), has allowed us to turn a number of existing constructs into optical probes of functional activity of proteins. We would now like to improve the properties of the existing molecular probes used, develop new probes, and use these probes to answer biochemical/biological questions.  Depending on the candidate, the project can be high risk/high impact, or more safe. The studied processes include G-protein signaling, electrical signaling in neurons, and others. The project will likely mostly involve techniques of molecular biology, biochemistry, advanced optical microscopy, and structural biology (X-ray crystallography, molecular dynamics simulations). Depending on the particular area chosen, the project is likely to lead to an article in a good specialist journal or a high impact factor journal.