MRes Computational Cell Biophysics

At the forefront of interdisciplinary research

Research image and man and woman in lab coat

Are you a physicist, a biologist, a chemist or听a mathematician interested in interdisciplinary research? This programme is for you!

Interdisciplinary approaches are rapidly being recognised as essential to address complex global challenges and drive forward scientific innovation.听The MRes Computational Cell Biophysics is an innovative, research-focused programme designed to provide students with key skill sets. Students will undertake a major research project in a world-leading lab, integrating听skills from physics, maths and computer science听with听biology. Students will learn听image analysis, machine learning, big data and AI approaches, key skill sets that are high in demand by employers, from academia to industry.

We aim to train flexible, multi-faceted researchers representing the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.

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Programme overview:

Innovative and interdisciplinary
9-month lab-based projects in world-class research groups
Students will learn听essential programming and machine-learning skills
Students will learn to communicate across disciplines
Prepares graduates to pursue diverse careers in academia and industry

We are strongly committed to developing an inclusive and positive research culture and providing students with the support they need to succeed.

Programme details

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Programme structure

The programme consists of a 9-month research project and two other compulsory modules. In addition, students select two optional modules from the list below. Previous coding experience advantageous but not required. If students听need additional training in biology or coding,听they can choose to attend additional听tutorials.

Compulsory modules:

MRes Laboratory-Based Research Project in Biophysics (120 credits). Students will be given a diverse choice of projects offered by invited scientists across a wide range of 香港六合彩中特网 faculties. Each project will have two supervisors, one from the physical sciences听and one from the biological sciences. Each project will be designed to address a fundamental biological problem.听

Research Techniques in Cell Biology and Biophysics (15 Credits).听The MRes module will combine attending seminars from visiting scientists to 香港六合彩中特网 research departments, tutorials in cutting edge research techniques, with visits to 香港六合彩中特网鈥檚 world leading facilities for imaging, high-content screening, bioinformatics, computation, nanotechnology, and material science.

Computational Cell Biophysics (15 Credits).听Research-led teaching by scientists at the forefront of the biophysics research field provide 听students with a conceptual and quantitative understanding of areas of physics that are relevant to biology.

Optional modules (30 credits):

Advanced Molecular Cell Biology听(CELL0016, 15-Credit)听
Tissue Biology听(CELL0024, 15-Credit)听
Interdisciplinary Cell Biology听(CELL0017, 15-Credit)听
Advanced Practical Cell Biology听(CELL0022, 15-Credit)
Cell Signalling in Health and Disease听(PHOL0008, 30-Credit)听

Students choose their research projects at the start of their MRes.

Example research projects:

听听听鈥⑻� 听Vertex modelling of lymph node dynamics during homeostasis and disease.
听听听鈥⑻� 听Learning biophysical determinants of cell shape with deep neural networks.
听听听鈥⑻� 听Using computer vision and machine learning to determine 3D cell shape in complex epithelia
听听听鈥⑻� 听Coarse-grained molecular dynamics modelling of collagen networks
听听听鈥⑻� 听3D mechanical modelling of effects of microgravity on tissue growth and repair
听听听鈥⑻� 听Mathematical modelling of cell migration in self-generating gradients
听听听鈥⑻� 听Modelling the mechanical evolution of the apical domain during differentiation of iPSCs into neuroepithelial cells
听听听鈥⑻� 听Mathematical modelling of the role of calcium signalling in determining embryonic polarity
听听听鈥⑻� 听Modelling morphogen gradient formation during growth and morphogenesis
听听听鈥⑻� 听Inferring model parameters from experimental data
听听听鈥⑻� 听Robotic artificial Selection of microbial communities
听听听鈥⑻� 听Simulating artificial selection of microbial communities
听听听鈥⑻� 听Understanding immune system group chemotaxis using microscopes and mathematical modelling

Potential supervisors

LMCB Group Leaders
IPLS Group Leaders

MRes Computational Cell Biology management team

Director:听Yanlan Mao听- LMCB Professor of Developmental Biophysics, co-Director听
LMCB Programme tutor:听Julie Pitcher听- LMCB Associate Director (Education)
IPLS/Physics Programme tutor:听
Administrative support: Helena Ahmed听- Education and Training Administrator

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Who can apply:

Admits students from all听sciences
UK and international students can apply

Find out about funding your studies听here.

For queries, contact听mres-ccb@ucl.ac.uk听or Julie Pitcher (Programme Tutor) on Teams听+44 20 7679 3040