Structural Biology MRes

Birkbeck, University of London

The MRes in Structural Biology is an intensive, high-quality introduction to research in structural and computational biology, which are key to the dissection of macromolecular 'machines' and cellular pathways of medical interest.

This course offers 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.

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.

TEACHING

Teaching may include formal lectures, seminars, and practical classes and tutorials. Formal lectures are used in most degree programmes to give an overview of a particular field of study. They aim to provide the stimulus and the starting point for deeper exploration of the subject during your own personal reading. Seminars give you the chance to explore a specific aspect of your subject in depth and to discuss and exchange ideas with fellow students. They typically require preparatory study.

CAREERS AND EMPLOYABILITY

Graduates go on to careers in academia, or the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Possible professions include higher education lecturer, research scientist, or science writer. This degree can also be useful in becoming a secondary school teacher.