Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and its associated spectroscopic techniques, such as electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), are fundamental tools for investigating structure-function relationships in materials science. However, their full potential has yet to be realised in the chemical characterisation of soft biological materials and pharmaceuticals.
For example, to date, only a handful of studies have focused on using these techniques to analyse pharmaceuticals, despite their critical importance in addressing current global healthcare challenges, such as antibiotic resistance. Consequently, there is a growing need to characterise the chemical composition, bonding, and interactions of pharmaceuticals with their targets, using the high spatial resolution that TEM provides.
This research aims to develop a chemically sensitive technique for characterising pharmaceuticals and other soft materials, leveraging advancements that have been proven effective in materials science. Additionally, theoretical studies will be conducted to interpret and fully understand the different regions observed in the EEL spectra. To achieve this, state-of-the-art first-principles simulations will be performed to model various aspects of the dielectric function.
The project will be based in the Department of Materials, utilising both the theoretical expertise of Prof. Nicholls and aberration and non-aberration-corrected microscopes equipped with EEL spectrometers to perform the experiments. It will also be conducted in collaboration with the Rosalind Franklin Institute, which will provide access to a novel chromatic aberration-corrected electron microscope and the latest generation of microfluidic TEM holders for studying dynamic interactions. This work is expected to significantly impact the pharmaceutical and structural biology communities. Due to the technical nature of the technique development, this project is best suited for candidates with strong backgrounds in mathematics, computational science, or physical sciences.
Any questions concerning the project can be addressed to Prof Rebecca Nicholls (rebecca.nicholls_at_materials.ox.ac.uk) and Dr Judy Kim (judy.kim_at_materials.ox.ac.uk).
General enquiries on how to apply can be made by e mail to graduate.studies@materials.ox.ac.uk. You must complete the standard Oxford University Application for Graduate Studies. Further information and an electronic copy of the application form can be found at https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate/applying-to-oxford.
