Han Zhao
About me
Hi! I'm a PhD student (2024-), working with Professors Yulia TimofeevaLink opens in a new window (DCS, Warwick) and Kirill VolynskiLink opens in a new window (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology). My research is on fluorescence imaging of neurotransmitter release in the brain.
Before, I did my MPhys in Physics at Warwick, and my master's research was on the cooling of white dwarf stars.
Research Interests
In recent years, the use of fluorescent sensors for imaging neurotransmitter release has been gaining popularity. They provide several advantages over traditional methods of electrically recording the cell, including the ability to image at single synapse resolution, and ability to directly measure presynaptic properties. So far, sensors have been developed for glutamate, GABA, serotonin and others.
My PhD focuses on the development of an advanced analysis pipeline for the imaging of neurotransmitter release using these sensors, including deconvolution of the fluorescent signal, quantal analysis (inferring number of vesicles released with each event), and super-resolution localisation of release events.
Below is an image of a neuron transfected with the glutamate sensor iGluSnFR3 (credit: Eleanor McGowan, UCL).
Teaching
I've been a TA for the following modules:
