Large databases yield information about DNA, RNA and protein variation between individuals and species and bioinformatics is a crucial component of molecular biology. Polymorphisms, epigenetics and microRNA have all greatly enhanced our knowledge about regulation of gene expression. This module will look at applications of a range of advanced molecular techniques such as next generation sequencing, microarrays, quantitative and multiplex PCR alongside our knowledge of OMICS databases.

By the end of this module the successful student will be able to:

1. Critically discuss a range of molecular techniques which can be applied to investigate gene expression and study specific polymorphisms.
2. Discuss current trends in molecular biology e.g. ‘OMICS’, synthetic biology etc.
3. Demonstrate an ability to use bioinformatics tools and apply these to large genetic databases in order to find information about a particular gene.
4. Critically evaluate the impact and implications of developments in molecular biology on science and technology.
5. Design an experimental work flow to study a particular gene or mutation and present and defend this in a short research talk. The presentation would be based on recent literature, compiling, analysing, interpreting and critiquing recent results obtained from state of the art research.
    

This module aims to examine and discuss the essential, qualitative and quantitative principles in growth of cultures and subsequent bioproducts to provide the needed expertise for the bio-industries. You will gain an understanding of fermentation processes, as well as small and large-scale production of fermentation products, microbial strain/culture selection and development, and microbial culture.

This module will explore applications of bacterial, fungal, and mammalian culture to the production of bio-products (eg enzymes, biopharmaceuticals) and examine ways in which micro-organisms are applied in the solution of environmental problems. The latest trends in the improvement of plant yield, tolerance to water/drought stress and pests, as well as the use of plants as bio-reactors will also be covered.

You will be able to develop your skills in information retrieval, critical analysis and presentation relevant to your research topic, and form a clear plan for your project.

Postgraduate Project

This module aims to enhance your skills of self-management, experimental design, critical analysis and interpretation of data, enabling you to present and justify your research.

Extended Postgraduate Project 

This module gives you the opportunity to investigate an appropriate research topic, generate and critically analyse data, and present your results and discuss findings in the context of previously published work. The project proposed and undertaken must include rigorous and critical analysis of data with a high level of initiative. This module is intended for students wishing to gain greater research experience and includes an extended period of research activity and extended assessment regime.

You will gain an insight into the scope of commercial biotechnology, starting and financing a company, the role of intellectual property protection, writing a business plan, assessing projects, managing a company, managing company finances, and coping with industrial safety legislation.

Bioinformatics lies at the heart of modern biology. This module introduces the discipline and shows how bioinformatics can help answer practical questions and solve problems in biology, medicine and pharmacology. Topics include DNA and protein databases, DNA and protein sequence alignment, protein structure prediction, drug discovery and molecular modelling.

Introducing you to key concepts in science communication, its challenges, rewards and applications, this module is designed to incorporate scenarios related to your interests, such as health, drug discovery and water science. The roles of science and scientists in society and how the public perceives, interacts with and responds to the information produced by scientists are explored, with the history of communicating science used to contextualise current issues in disseminating information.

This module will explore the discovery and development of pharmacological therapies from target identification through to pre-clinical models of disease. The module will look at cellular signalling cascades, genetics, pharmacology and toxicology relevant to exemplar diseases. This will provide an understanding of drugs and therapeutics at the molecular and genetic level. Content will include detailed analysis of the molecular basis of cellular signalling cascades, and stress the need for improving pharmacotherapy.

This module reviews and discusses the ways in which molecular biology has been used to treat inherited and acquired diseases. You will investigate the ethics and legislation involved in the use of novel therapies in humans.

The module provides information on the current scope of regenerative medicine, emerging techniques, novel biomaterials and scaffold sources, stem cell harvesting and differentiation. The module also provides information on the use of bio–reactors in the creation and culturing of three dimensional constructs.

This module will introduce the theoretical and practical underpinnings of systems biology. The emphasis is on studies of entire systems, assisted by the use of bioinformatics and how the knowledge from these may be applied to medicine. The module will examine databases and other resources as well as discuss issues key to the studies of entire systems.