Professor Dylan Owen

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Professor Dylan Owen

Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Professor Owen's lab works in three main areas:

The development of methods for super-resolution fluorescence microscopy, with particular focus on statistical image analysis techniques. Here, they have developed a number of avenues for analysing protein distributions (nanoscale clustering) from single-molecule localisation super-resolution microscopy data.
Studying the biophysics of cell membranes, in particular protein and lipid spatio-temporal organisation at the plasma membrane. They are particularly interested in the mechanisms that regulate membrane protein organisation including protein-protein interactions, the cortical actin cytoskeleton, lipid domains and membrane topography.
Understanding the role of nanoscale organisation in regulating signalling pathways, especially at the T cell immunological synapse. T cells must perform a delicate balance – they should activate when they detect minute amounts of foreign, potentially pathogenic peptides, but not activate in response to the body’s own proteins. Much of the proteins responsible for making such decisions show complex nanoscale organisation, and aberrations in that architecture has links to autoimmune diseases including arthritis, lupus and diabetes.

Research Groups

Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy

Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA)

Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Science and AI

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Laid-back, technique-orientated, optimistic.

Provision of Training

Your training will be supervised predominantly by my experienced post docs/PhD students.

It’s ok to try things for yourself and have them not work right-away – learn by doing. I don’t blame you if things don’t work.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I am here for advice and guidance to help you reach the goals you set for yourself. My door is always open for a chat. You don’t have to tell me everything you have done in detail, I trust you to work independently.

Communication

I’ll email you at any time (I have young kids) but feel free to ignore me until you’re at work. I chat informally with my team by WhatsApp – about work and also socially. I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential. We try to get out for a drink together every week or so, Covid permitting.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per week

The meetings will be face to face and I am usually contactable for an instant response (if required) on every working day.

Working Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Current Projects (2025-26)

Primary supervisor for:

Building and using a human cell atlas: defining the nanoscale architecture of T cells

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Building and using a human cell atlas: defining the nanoscale architecture of T cells

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Daniel Nieves

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes: Understanding the Rules of Life (Immunology)

Project Outline

Taking the analogy of gene sequence databases, these have allowed the development of the field of genomics - the analysis of gene sequences and genomes between cells, between species, between individuals and between conditions (e.g. health and disease). This includes recent advances in GWAS – Genome Wide Association Studies, which correlate genetic markers with disease predisposition. However, current descriptions of cellular systems are incomplete. They can be characterised at the genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic level, but there is a final level: How those proteins are organised in 3D space.

We have recently established a unique database of protein nanoscale organisation containing data from super-resolution single molecule microscopy – the method for which the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded. The aim of this project is to develop “spatial nano-omics” – the systematic study of the way molecules are organised in cells and to understand what we can learn when given access to a large database of diverse protein organisations. Based on our own expertise, the initial focus of this PhD project will be the organisation of membrane proteins on the surface of T cells.

Components of the T cell receptor signalling pathway are known to display a variety of nano- and microclustering behaviour. These proteins include the TCR complex itself, kinases such as Lck and ZAP70, phosphatases like CD45 and Lyp and adaptor proteins, for example LAT and SLP76. Clustering behaviour is context dependent, with many proteins rearranging their organisation after stimulation. The clustering behaviour serves to regulate the signalling pathways and set thresholds for T cell activation. Aberrant nanoscale organisation has been linked to pathology, however, the degree of nanoscale organisational diversity of T cell signalling proteins is not known.

The objectives of this PhD are:

a) To develop the language, concepts and analysis methods to compare and contrast different protein nanoscale organisations.

b) To interrogate the database (and to acquire your own imaging data) to define the diversity of protein nanoscale organisation it contains.

c) To determine how the nanoscale organisation of receptors on the surface of T cells varies in health and disease, between different T cell sub-types and between individuals.

Co-supervisor on a project with Dr Maria Makarova.

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Primary supervisor for:

Applications of an atlas of protein nanoscale organisation for understanding immune cell function

Co-supervisor on a project with Dr Maria Makarova.

Previous Projects (2023-24)

Primary supervisor for:

The effect of hypoxia on T cell membranes