Pascal Hunziker - New PhD student in bioimaging and cell biology

Pascal Hunziker obtained a BSc and an MSc degree in Biology from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. During his studies Pascal developed a sincere commitment to advanced microscopy.

Fascination of live-cell imaging

At DynaMo Center, in collaboration with Center for Advanced Bioimaging, Pascal will undertake a three year PhD project where he will get ample opportunity to pursue his fascination for modern imaging techniques.

Pascal Hunziker explains,

"I am overwhelmed by the large choice and incredible application range of today’s microscopic techniques and magnifying devices. Specifically, I am impressed to see what super resolution imaging can achieve. Convinced by such recent breakthroughs and the associated exponential progression of imaging in general, I desire to direct my future career into the field of microscopy."

Visualization of interacting molecules

The focus of Pascal's MSc thesis was on plant-microbe interactions, the title of his MSc thesis being Analysis of cellular abscisic acid (ABA) concentrations in the early immune response of Arabidopsis to Phytophthora brassicae.

His PhD project will focus on visualizing the interaction and cell specificity of proteins involved in biosynthesis and allocation of glucosinolates on the entire plant level. He aims at the localization of glucosinolate biosynthesis and storage sites, the identification of interactions among biosynthetic proteins as well as the spatio-temporal spreading of pathogen-induced expression of these enzymes.

To this end, he will employ a variety of advanced bioimaging techniques provided at the Center for Advanced Bioimaging (CAB) ranging from FRET-FLIM to 3D-SIM.

Pascal's main supervisor is Head of CAB Professor Alexander Schulz; Head of DynaMo Professor Barbara Ann Halkier is his co-supervisor.

Welcome Pascal!