Structural Biology (MRes) - 2013/2014 entry
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Overview
This programme contains both taught components and extensive research experience for students with backgrounds in biological, chemical and physical sciences. It is particularly suitable for those who wish to gain both theoretical and practical research experience in the techniques of structural biology or biocomputing.
Our research areas include:
- molecular chaperones, amyloid fibrils, pore-forming toxins
- M.tuberculosis, cytoskeletal proteins
- signal transduction, bacterial pathogenesis, and DNA replication
- electron microscopy, cytoskeletal dynamics and function
- electron cryo-microscopy; electron tomography and image processing; development of methods for recognition and separation of heterogeneous molecular complexes; bacteriophage assembly; structural analysis of the transcription factor p53
- Hsp90, the kinetochore
- DNA repair
- protein folding and misfolding, in particular at the point of synthesis on intact ribosomes
- viral protein-nucleic acid interactions
- eye lens proteins, small heat shock proteins.
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Why study this course at Birkbeck?
- Intensive, high-quality, one-year introduction to research in structural biology.
- Relevant to further academic research as well as to a wide range of employers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and chemical industries.
- Part of the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, a joint initiative with University College London.
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Course structure
You will begin by following taught modules from our web-based courses on Principles of Protein Structure, Techniques in Structural Molecular Biology, or Protein Crystallography. Alternatively, there is the option of taking a biocomputing module from the Bioinformatics with Systems Biology course. You will also attend lectures and practicals on molecular structure and graphics, as well as a weekly course on Principles and Practice of Structural Biology.
During the first term, you will begin your research project, which is the main focus for the rest of the programme. In the second term, you will produce a written dissertation and an oral presentation on the background and plan of the research. You will submit a thesis, which will be orally examined at the end of the academic year.
Training is also provided in searching and evaluating data in literature and online databases, and in the analytical and presentational skills required by the successful research scientist.
Read more about the programme content.
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Study resources
State-of-the-art equipment for X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy and tomography, and associated image processing. Excellent facilities for UV and CD spectroscopy, calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy, ultracentrifugation, and protein expression and purification in the biochemical and molecular biology laboratories. We have a 158 processor cluster for intensive data processing. All areas have specialised computer equipment for data analysis, molecular graphics and molecular modelling and programming.
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Further study opportunities
If you are interested in further research, we offer a PhD/MPhil in Biological Sciences.
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Careers information
Graduates may go on to careers in research in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, and in academia.
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Further details
On successful completion of this programme, you should be able to:
- explain the principles of macromolecular structure and function
- understand at an advanced level how to interpret complex structural information
- carry out research in structure determination and analysis.
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Apply now
- Application deadlines and interviews
We recommend you apply as early as possible. Later applications may also be considered, subject to availability of places. - Online application
You can apply online from the link below.
- Application deadlines and interviews