Jan-Hendrik Spille
Email Address: jhspille@uic.eduCollege: Liberal Arts and Sciences Department: Physics
Title: Assistant Professor
Office: SES 3136 Phone: 312-996-4588
Webpage: https://spille.lab.uic.edu/
Participating in the Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Awards program: Yes
Research Interest:
Professor Spille’s research uses state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy to resolve biophysical principles of structure and function in the cell nucleus. His lab works at the interface of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. Current efforts in the lab are directed towards understanding the biophysical mechanisms by which biomolecular condensates form and regulate processes such as transcription. For this purpose, the lab develops new tools for quantitative single molecule super resolution microscopy of biomolecules. We combine these tools with quantitative live cell imaging, cell line engineering, and computational methods to resolve the organization of the cell nucleus one molecule at a time.
Current projects:
PHYSICS/ENGINEERING/...: Building a new microscope for single molecule and light sheet imaging. Developing strategies for single molecule imaging data analysis.
BIO/CHEMISTRY/...: Generating plasmids and cell lines using molecular cloning and CRISPR technology.
Other projects may be available. Minimum time commitment in hours per week: 8-12 Qualifications of a Student:
The only prerequisite for any project in the lab is curiosity and enthusiasm for scientific discovery.
Any prior experience with building optical systems, designing electronic controls, culturing cells, or molecular cloning is a plus. Brief Summary of what is expected from the student:
Responsibilities depend on the specific project.
Students need to be comfortable working in an interdisciplinary environment, communicating with a team from different disciplines, and learning new techniques. You will get trained but will be expected to take ownership of the project. You will be expected to present your progress in our group meeting on a regular basis.
The projects require continuous presence in the lab of 3-4h on 2-3 days per week. Long-term commitment to an evolving project is desirable and employment through the summer may be possible.
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