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School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences

Center for Cell Dynamics (CCD)

CCDlogoWe are a consortium of interdisciplinary researchers exploring how subcellular processes are dynamically regulated at the nanoscale.

With over £1M research funding from BBSRC, EPSRC, QMUL and industry partners, our center houses cutting-edge microscopes along with advanced digital image processing tools to work at the forefront of life science research. The center brings together cell and molecular biologists, structural biologists, microscopy engineers and computer scientists, creating a vibrant multi-disciplinary environment for overcoming imaging limitations - in space and time- to understand challenging dynamic and non-equilibrium cell biological processes.

Research Vision

In this post-genomic era, the vast majority of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cellular components are known, but in most cases their function and regulation are poorly understood. This knowledge gap is predominantly due to our inability to cohesively map how myriad cellular components dynamically form and interact with each other. By promoting nanoscale live-cell studies, we accelerate research progress in pressing biotechnological and biomedical problems that are fundamental to our survival and well-being.

Resources and Activities

  • To overcome limitations in live-imaging – spatial, temporal or throughput - the center hosts several live-cell microscopy resources: Super-resolution imaging (OMX-Flex), Deconvolution imaging (DeltaVision) and High-speed liquid-lens imaging in the Millisec regime.
  • We work closely with Zeiss, IMSOL and Konica-Minolta to develop and employ advanced image processing tools.
  • To promote interaction within the consortium and also with industry partners, a range of activities and events are organised.
  • Collaborators interested in working with us for research internships or sabbaticals can write to Viji Draviam or Michaela Egertova.
  • The School hosts researchers studying a range of model systems – from microbes to humans – growth facilities for these can be collaboratively accessed.

The progress of the center is reviewed annually by an international board of advisors.

Open research positions and projects can be viewed through individual group websites.

Center lead: Prof Viji Draviam

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