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George David Dickinson, PhD

Bioinformatics Programmer III
Department of Neurobiology & Behavior
University of California, Irvine

Research Interests

My research focuses on calcium signaling, mechanosensitive ion channels, super-resolution microscopy, and computational analysis of biological imaging data. I combine advanced microscopy techniques with software development to study cellular signaling at the single-molecule level.

Current areas: - PIEZO1 mechanosensitive channel localization and function - Super-resolution microscopy (DNA-PAINT, STORM) - Single-molecule calcium imaging - Image analysis software development

Research Experience

Current Position

Bioinformatics Programmer III (2018-Present)
Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, UC Irvine

Software development for 3D super-resolution and light-sheet microscopy data visualization and analysis of calcium imaging experiments.

Learn more about PIEZO1 research →

Previous Positions

Research Scientist (2019-2022)
Material Science & Engineering, Boise State University

Developed a prototype DNA-origami based digital storage platform using DNA-PAINT super-resolution microscopy.

Learn more about nucleic acid memory →

Consultant (2017-2020)
Sound Science, LLC

Software development for analysis of aerial imagery and ecological data for land-management and conservation projects.

Learn more about conservation work →

Assistant Project Scientist (2010-2016)
Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, UC Irvine

Developed super-resolution and TIRF fluorescence microscopy techniques to study intracellular calcium signals and signaling proteins at the single-cell and single-molecule level.

Learn more about IP3R research →

Research Fellow (2008-2010)
Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University College London

Investigated the role of lysosomal calcium signaling in aging and disease in cultured neurons.

Learn more about lysosomal calcium →

Research Fellow (2002-2004)
Physiology Department, University College London

Characterization of calcium-channel proteins in sea urchin eggs.

Learn more about NAADP receptors →

Education

PhD Biology (1998-2002)
University of York, UK
Thesis: "Ligand-gated calcium mobilization in higher plants"
Supervisor: Dale Sanders

Learn more about plant calcium research →

MRes Biomolecular Science (1997-1998)
University of York, UK
Distinction

PgDip Laboratory Technology & Data Management (1996-1997)
Scottish Agricultural College, UK
Merit

BSc (Hons) Biology (1992-1996)
University of Aberdeen, UK
2.1

Technical Expertise

Microscopy
- Confocal microscopy - Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy - Super-resolution microscopy (STORM, DNA-PAINT) - Single-molecule calcium imaging (optical patch-clamp) - Light-sheet microscopy

Programming & Software Development
- Python (primary language) - MATLAB, R, JavaScript, C++/C# - PyQt/PyQtGraph for GUI development - Machine learning (TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch) - Cloud computing (Apache Spark)

Data Analysis
- Image analysis (ImageJ, MetaMorph, NIKON Elements, OpenCV) - Bioinformatics (sequence analysis, RNA-Seq) - Statistical analysis (NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, Scikit-learn) - Geospatial analysis (ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine)

Python Projects

I develop open-source Python tools for microscopy analysis and scientific computing.

FLIKA Plugins

  • thunderSTORM: Single molecule localization microscopy analysis
  • SPT Batch Analysis: Automated particle tracking
  • Cell Edge Movement: Membrane dynamics quantification
  • Mask Editor: Interactive ROI editing

View Python projects →

Publications

34 peer-reviewed publications in areas including calcium signaling, super-resolution microscopy, nucleic acid memory, and mechanosensitive ion channels.

View complete publication list →

Contact

Last updated: December 2024