PhD/MPhil Structural Biology
University of Manchester
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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

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Location

The University of Manchester

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

23-SEP-24

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Duration

3 years

Course info

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

The University of Manchester

Study mode

Full time

Start date

23-SEP-24

Duration

3 years

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Qualification

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Location

The University of Manchester

Study mode

Part time

Start date

23-SEP-24

Duration

6 years

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Biological Sciences
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Course info

Programme descriptionOur PhD/MPhil Structural Biology programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Structural Biology.Structural biology is a rapidly developing area of biology that is aimed at determining the three-dimensional structures of biologically-important macromolecules such as proteins, DNA and RNA and their complexes (i.e. ribosomes, nucleosomes).Structural biology developed as a field alongside molecular biology in the 1950s and 1960s and ...Read more

Programme description

Our PhD/MPhil Structural Biology programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Structural Biology.

Structural biology is a rapidly developing area of biology that is aimed at determining the three-dimensional structures of biologically-important macromolecules such as proteins, DNA and RNA and their complexes (i.e. ribosomes, nucleosomes).

Structural biology developed as a field alongside molecular biology in the 1950s and 1960s and almost everyone knows some of the pioneers in this field - Hodgkin, Wilkins, Watson, Crick who determined the structure of DNA. Less widely known are the pioneers of protein structure determination, Nobel Prize winners - Kendrew and Perutz.

Recent developments in computational analysis and the availability of state-of-the-art instrumentation mean that high-resolution structures are now obtained routinely using X-ray diffraction and high resolution cryo-electron microscopy, allowing to reveal structural details of large complexes as well as individual proteins in a faster and more reliable manner.

Structural biology is crucial for the pharmaceutical industry, where identifying drug binding sites to target proteins is a key step in drug development of new medicines and treatments.

Structural biology is also essential in biotechnology where knowing the structure of enzymes allows a better understanding of their mechanism of action and provides a rational basis for redesigning them to optimise their activity or even change it to produce a novel product of commercial interest.

At The University of Manchester we have a superb infrastructure to undertake structural biology projects, which includes state-of-the-art facilities for cryo-electron microscopy, crystallisation robots, X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy and computational analysis.

Structural biology is a multidisciplinary area and pursuing a postgraduate research degree in this subject will allow you to develop skills in biology, biochemistry, biophysics and computer science, as well as the opportunity to undergo rigorous multidisciplinary training.

If you are fortunate, just like Kendrew and Perutz, you will have the unique experience of being the first person on the planet to visualise the new structure of a protein or macromolecule and to have the first insights into its mechanism of action and how it interacts with other molecules to regulate an essential biological process.

Alternatively, your project may generate the structural information needed to design a new drug that will be used to treat human diseases such as tuberculosis or cancer, or to design a new protein to optimise a process in biotechnology.

Career opportunities

Your postgraduate research degree will open up a range of career opportunities after you graduate.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2023 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
61/81
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2024
8th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2024
19th
What students say
J
Jazmin
29 Feb 24

Nice city, and the staff are all very friendly, there is lots of societies and invo,vement in current affairs. But at least for my course lots is online which is not the..Read more

E
Emilia
29 Feb 24

Best - Uni life and course Worst - sometimes lack..Read more

Entry requirements

We require applicants to hold, or be about to obtain, an Upper Second class Honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in a related subject area for entry to a PhD programme. A Lower Second class Honours degree may be considered if applicants also hold a Master's degree with a Merit classification.

Tuition fees

Students living in

Domestic

£4,786 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Domestic

This is the fee you pay if the University is in the same country that you live in (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

UK students (per annum): Standard £4,786, Low £11,000, Medium £17,500, High £23,000

£27,000 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from somewhere in the EU.

International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £28,500, Medium £34,500, High £40,500

£27,000 per year

This information is updated by IDP Connect, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: The fees might vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

The amount you'll pay if you come to study here from a country outside the EU.

International, including EU, students (per annum): Standard £27,000, Low £28,500, Medium £34,500, High £40,500

IDP Connect

Latest reviews

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Uni info

University of Manchester
Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Manchester Piccadilly  0.3 miles away
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