Biosciences

Our mission is to understand the complex steps that lead from genotype to phenotype through the integration of traditional disciplines within cell and molecular biosciences as well as chemistry, biophysics and eukaryotic-microbial models.

Numerous successful spin-off companies have been created by our staff as a result of their research. This is testimony to our intellectual and innovative capacity and ability to translate basic biological research into the industrial bioscience setting. Some of our spin-off companies, including Arrow Therapeutics (recently acquired by AstraZeneca), Demuris Ltd and Orla Protein Technologies, provide part funding for PhD studentships, allowing our students to obtain valuable training and work experience in a modern industrial biotechnology setting.

Newcastle is the lead University for a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), offering training in world-class bioscience, basic bioscience underpinning health (with an emphasis of lifelong health and wellbeing), food security and industrial biotechnology and bioenergy. The BBSRC DTP recruits up to 30 MRes/PhD students per year.

The Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences is the focus for basic cellular and molecular biology research in Newcastle. Our research is well funded and highly regarded. There are approximately 90 postgraduate students based in the Institute studying for MRes/PhD, or a PhD at any time. They come from a range of subject backgrounds in biological and biomedical sciences, including biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, physiology and bioinformatics, as well as computing science, medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and pharmacy, and undertake projects that match our multidisciplinary research portfolio.

As a postgraduate student, you will join one of our established research groups and work alongside postdoctoral researchers, senior PhD students and staff. As well as designated office space, you will also have access to excellent facilities to support your studies. For example, structural biology facilities for proteomics, mass spectrometry, protein X-ray crystallography and a wide range of bioimaging technologies, all provide students with state-of-the art training opportunities. Research training is provided by the Medical Sciences Graduate School. You will present your work at postgraduate symposia and seminars and you will be encouraged to attend conferences and scientific meetings where you can discuss your work with other students and academics.

Postgraduate degrees in this subject area: