Overview

The School of Basic and Medical Biosciences brings together five internationally renowned research departments; Centre for Human and Applied Physiology (CHAPS), Centre for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (CSCRM), Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics (MMG), Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics (Randall), St John’s Institute of Dermatology (St John’s). PhD students work alongside staff researchers and are supervised by two members of academic staff. Each student has a dedicated Thesis Progression Committee that monitors the student’s progress and gives advice and support. Students meet with their committee, and report on their progress, every six months. Each student is also assigned a postgraduate co-ordinator who is attached to the department in which they are based.

Course detail

The research focus of the School of Basic and Medical Biosciences is to answer fundamental questions about biology in health and disease. Clinical and discovery scientists collaborate in a multi-disciplinary environment on a range of exciting and innovative areas spanning the analysis of stem cell programming, molecular biophysics and genetics of human disease through to the development of innovative new technology, therapies and clinical trials. Our cross-disciplinary approach enables us to tackle emerging, cutting-edge questions in areas such as human physiology, cancer, dermatology, diabetes, liver failure, genetic diseases, ageing, and pain. Participation in the annual Postgraduate Research Symposium is compulsory for all students and provides an opportunity to improve science communication, presentation skills and to develop collaborations. Students are required to give research reports as part of their department’s seminar programme as well as regularly presenting within their group lab meetings and student-led journal club, providing peer support in addition to that given by supervisors. Our postgraduate students also have the opportunity to assist with teaching of undergraduates as demonstrators in practical classes or by leading tutorials.