Objective This project is concerned with supramolecular chemistry and the molecular engineering of optical fluorescent probes for sensing the voltages across plasma membranes in excitable cells such as neurones. The project is a combination of molecular design, organic synthesis, physical organic chemistry, spectroscopy and photobiology. The idea is to establish a competition between fluorescence and photoinduced electron transfer; the relative rates of these two processes will be sensitive to the electric field, thus the brightness of the fluorescence will provide a map of the voltage.The project builds on three areas of expertise in Anderson’s group: (a) synthesis and photophysics of functional dyes; (b) molecular wires and (c) design and synthesis of probes for membrane potential in lipid bilayers based on second harmonic generation.Patrik Neuhaus has an exceptionally strong background in spectroscopy and physical organic chemistry. He also has the knowledge of organic synthesis to make rapid progress with this project. However he has no previous experience of investigating the behavior of compounds in lipid membranes. This project will provide him with high-level training in an important and topical field, while enabling him to broaden his horizons. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistrynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipidsengineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesmicrotechnologymolecular engineeringnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD Address Wellington square university offices OX1 2JD Oxford United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Oxfordshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Gill Wells (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data