Programme description

Our PhD/MPhil Cell Biology programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Cell Biology.

Advances in cell biology are at the cutting edge of biological research. The Faculty has considerable breadth and expertise underpinned by state-of-the-art facilities in confocal, electron and light microscopy.

Research is focused on understanding the molecular basis of cell division, signal transduction, organelle biogenesis and protein targeting, differentiation, adhesion and secretion. These investigations are carried out using a diversity of model animal, plant and microbial systems such as Drosophila, Caenorhabditis elegans, Xenopus, Arabidopsis thaliana, E. coli and yeasts, along with mammals, parasites and crops.

Examples of research topics include:

• cytoskeleton and control of the cell cycle;
• molecular mechanisms of chromosome segregation;
• mechanisms of transcription and DNA repair;
• animal and plant apoptosis;
• tissue development;
• protein targeting;
• protein translation, translocation and secretion;
• adhesion and the extracellular matrix;
• cellular responses to stress:
• vascular development in plants;
• ultrastructure of eukaryotic microbes and fungi;
• host immune responses.

Career opportunities

Your postgraduate research degree will open up a range of career opportunities after you graduate.