Postgraduate Molecular Biology 2018-2019

A course containing a series of lectures describing 'latest-methods and discoveries' in areas of bioinformatics and functional genomics including transcriptomics, proteomics, and DNA sequence analysis

Contains an extended research practical; you carry out computer analysis of transcriptome datasets to understand how cells respond to starvation stress, and write up in research paper format.

Contains a series of in-depth workshops that teach the principles and practice of DNA and protein sequence analysis. 

This course provides information on the basic immune system, how it functions in health and disease, and how we can enhance its activity using novel therapies for autoimmune disease, infection, allergy and most notably cancer. All aspects of both the innate and the adaptive immune system are covered to provide a very good background understanding of the immune system and how it can be used to maintain health.

Medical Mycology focuses on pathogenic fungi and the diseases they cause in humans. Areas covered in this course include the fungi that cause disease, their mechanisms of pathogenesis, the clinical problems, and the host response (both in health and disease). The course, which is taught by medical mycology experts in the Aberdeen Fungal Group, will include background lectures, ‘state-of-the-art’ research seminars and practicals covering approaches that are highly relevant to the study of fungal diseases.

A course describing the wide range of ways in which genome sequencing has transformed our understanding of medicine and human disease

A course placing a high value on its teaching and learning; all lecture material supported by workshops – your chance to team-work, ask questions and enjoy the science.

Contains a material detailing a range of examples of genome science and its applications in medicine, ranging from the human genome (genome-wide association studies) to microbial (pathogen genome sequencing). 

A course that makes wide use of the literature, allowing you to read about and understand the latest methods in genome science

A course that leads you through research-level study of your subject through study of a range of areas of the science literature

An introduction to the subject of your summer research project through the writing of an extended essay on the subject of your forthcoming research project.

The course provides an opportunity to study advanced science concepts led by an experienced member of academic staff.

The genetic basis of self/non-self discrimination underlies all immune responses and can influence disease susceptibility at the level of both individual and populations. This course addresses this topic through lectures from research active experts in the main areas covered.

The course Workshop involves students delivering a poster presentation on a course-related topic, providing the opportunity for students to practice presentation skills before undertaking the Masters Research project later in the academic year.

An exciting course that brings a student right up to date with the most modern bioinformatics,  genome assembly and annotation technology. You, the student, will isolate a novel bacterium from the environment and purify its DNA. This will be whole genome sequenced, and you will then assemble your own bacterial genome and functionally annotate it, taught by expert bioinformaticians from our Centre for Genome-Enabled Biology and Medicine. Your analysis will enable you to make identifications of the species you have isolated, its metabolic and environmental responses, growth constraints and regulation, cell surface markers and antibiotic resistance, producing a full inventory of genes and their presumptive functions. Overall the course prepares a student for future employment in a biosciences workplace where genome sequencing and annotation is becoming an every-day tool of modern biotechnology.

Human genetics has undergone a revolution over the last decade, driven by technological innovations that have given us an unprecedented insight into the genetic diversity of our species. This course will explore how this information is used to determine the role of genetic variation in human health and disease.

​​The extended research project in medical mycology is 6 month research project carried out on pathogenic fungi and/or fungal immunology. Projects will be based within the Aberdeen Fungal Group and students will have the opportunity to choose from a selection of offered projects.