The interior of a cell is a highly organised environment. In eukaryotic cells this is partly achieved by assembling specific molecules into membrane-bound organelles such as the nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum. Interestingly, membraneless organelles (MLOs) are also present, characterised by the presence of proteins and nucleic acids that are “phase separated” from their immediate surroundings, much like droplets of oil sitting on the surface of water. Simon Cook at the Babraham Institute is characterising the function of a family of proteins called DYRK kinases, which have been evolutionarily conserved. Some DYRK kinases localise to MLOs in the nucleus and cytoplasm of mammalian cells, although the function of these kinases has yet to be determined. This project will assess the performance of different microscopy techniques to observe DYRK-positive MLOs. This will include confocal microscopy and Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM) and potentially electron microscopy. The student undertaking this project will gain experience in mammalian tissue culture, preparing cells for microscopy, performing a variety of different imaging techniques and learning how to interpret, analyse and present microscopy data. Students will need to find their own accommodation and be expected to present their findings orally at a research day in York in September 2025.