Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology (PhD’s by the department) PhD / MPhil

Research themes

Multi-omics

Proteomics is the study of all the proteins and peptides found in an organism. Metabolomics is the study of the huge variety of small molecules that are involved in cellular metabolism. Both techniques link together nucleic-acid based genomics and transcriptomics, by employing state-of-the-art technologies, notably mass spectrometry (including single-cell), to understand the nuts-and-bolts of biological systems.

Systems and computational biology

Analysing ‘Big Data’ in order to address research questions requires a highly specialised level of computing and statistical expertise. Our Computational Biology Facility (CBF) houses the expertise to analyse big data, working on projects from across the globe. Much of the activity in this area is devoted to large data analyses, including multi-omics integration to permit systems-level modelling of highly complex biological systems.

Photosynthesis, plants and crops

The theme of plants and photosynthesis includes the study of both fundamental and applied aspects of the biology and ecology of bacteria, algae, fungi and plants and their interacting partners. We harness cutting edge techniques to understand and enhance photosynthesis and CO2 fixation, metabolism, plant development and agricultural production in a sustainable manner, with the intent of providing sustainable solutions for achieving global food security in the background of climate change.

Structural and mechanistic biology

The department employs multiple approaches, notably mathematical modelling, X-ray crystallography, small angle X-ray scattering and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to answer important research questions in structural biology. These include studying enzymes in the nitrogen cycle, analysing the disease-causing structural properties of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases, and understanding how signaling enzymes are regulated in health and disease.

Biochemistry of cell signalling

Understanding how organisms communicate, and what happens when ordered communication fails, underlies both health and disease and is one of the keys to understanding systems-level cell signalling. We study how the ‘post-translational modification’ of proteins occurs, from the atomic to whole organism level, establishing how this can be measured and quantified and finding out happens when it goes wrong

Research interests

The Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Systems Biology hosts the following postgraduate study programme codes

• Bioinformatics
• Biochemistry
• Enzymology
• Plant Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Structural Biology
• Computational Biology
• Chemical Biology
• Multi-'omics
• Systems Biology

Lists of staff associated with each area can be found further down this page.

Training

PhD students can take taught modules - on either a formal basis with exams taken and a record of completion generated or less formally. Commonly, students use the opportunity to upskill in areas like bioinformatics and statistics, but modules on defined areas of biology are also available. A wide variety of further development opportunities are available from the PGR Development Hub. 

Facilities

We have an unparalleled range of core facilities including:

• Centre for Proteome Research (CPR) is addressing a huge range of challenges in complex mass spectrometry and proteomics, as applied to biological and biomedical sciences.
• Centre for Metabolomics Research (CMR) utilizes our ability to study small metabolites to tackle a wide range of biological and medical problems
• Gene Mill and Protein Production Facility designs and produces DNA and functional proteins for fundamental, applied and synthetic biology applications across academia and industry.
• Computational Biology Facility (CBF) develops and supports data-driven research on biological and medical problems. • Centre for Proteomics Research (CPR) for the development and application of advanced proteomics technologies to address biological and biomedical sciences.
• NMR Centre for Structural Biology studies the structure and quantification of biological molecules at both the small scale (metabolites) to the large scale (macromolecular) and their interactions.
• Barkla X-ray Laboratory of Biophysics is a combined X-ray crystallography and X-ray scattering facility, the first in Europe able to provide information from the level of atomic detail to the assembly of ensembles of biological structures.

The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.

* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.

^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.