Postgraduate Molecular Biology 2020-2021

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 a series of in-depth workshops that teach the principles and practice of next generation sequence analysis, transcriptomics, proteomics and sequence similarity analysis. 

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of how behaviours (e.g. smoking, diet, medication adherence, etc) can protect, promote, risk or damage health; the key drivers of (un)healthy behaviours; and techniques to change health behaviours.

The research project is the climax of the MSc programme and involves working on an independent research project for 12 weeks prior to completion of a write up in the style of an article for publication. It involves utilisation of much of the skills developed throughout the previous 2 semesters, and is selected based on student interests and preferences from a list of options.

Why do some microorganisms cause disease, yet others don’t?  This course explores host-pathogen interactions from bacterial, fungal, parasite, viral and host perspectives in a lecture series, examining virulence factors, host defences and immune responses.  Students develop a detailed knowledge of one specific host-pathogen interaction through self-directed study and review of a specific disease selected by the student.  In addition, workshops are held which discuss experimental design for analysis of host-pathogen interactions, virulence and novel drug treatments.  The material on the course will enable students to develop and refine their understanding of the roles of host and pathogen in infectious disease.

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; lecture material supported by workshops – your chance to team-work, ask questions and enjoy the science.

Contains material detailing a range of examples of genome science and its applications in medicine. 

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.

An exciting course that brings a student right up to date with 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 identify 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 everyday 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 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.

This short course allows students to explore the research carried out within the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition and identify a supervisor and research area for their extended research project.