Oliver Clarke
Why did you choose the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for your PhD?
I’d enjoyed my experience working as an undergraduate student (via UROP) in the lab where I subsequently completed my honours year, and the project I was working on really interested me, so I decided to stay.
What do you see as the benefits of doing a PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute?
Having a close-knit group of students and staff around me with a diverse range of expertise and experiences. Having access to a wonderful variety of resources and facilities with which to perform my research.
When did you start your PhD?
March 2008
What is the subject of your PhD?
I’m using x-ray crystallography to study how potassium channels open and close. Potassium channels are microscopic pores present in the membrane of electrically excitable cells, such as the neurons in our brains, that allow the regulated transport of potassium ions across the membrane.
The process by which these channels open and close is called gating, and when that process goes wrong, this can result in disease. I’m studying how potassium channel gating works on an atomic level.
What does a typical working day involve?
Purifying protein, setting up crystallisation trials, inspecting previous crystal trials and mounting any crystals I find on our in-house X-ray source.
Every now and then, I take crystals out to the Australian Synchrotron to collect data on the much more powerful X-ray beam that is available there.
What did you study at uni?
Bachelor of Science, majoring in biochemistry and chemistry.