MSc Molecular and Cellular Basis of Human Disease (MCBHD)

Whole genome sequencing has opened up a new era of studies into the molecular and cellular basis of human disease. This unique research-led masters course provides training to future scientists in the production and use of animal models for basic research into disease mechanisms and for therapeutic studies.

The new molecular genetic and cellular approaches to understand human disease and disease processes in model systems are well established in our department, with some of the worlds foremost research in these areas being conducted in Sheffield. As the research base broadens and industry begins to adopt new technologies, the demand for this type of specialist training is in strong across the healthcare industry and academia. As a graduate, you will gain high-level employment opportunities.

Research-led training

Your research project will be undertaken at the internationally renowned MRC Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics, providing you with world-class training and professional skills in the use of animal models for basic and applied clinical science. Experimental tractable model organisms, such as Mouse, Drosophila and Zebrafish will be used. The associated literature review will also give training in a range of transferable skills pertinent to future careers in biosciences. Through seminars, we encourage you to develop an understanding of the ethical and legal issues associated with the field.

You'll also benefit from our modern research laboratories and equipment. This includes purpose-built facilities for drosophila, zebrafish, chick and mouse genetics and for molecular physiology. Other facilities provide all the tools you'll need to examine and analyse a range of cellular structures. We have an established electron and a light microscopy centre, a PCR robotics facility, a flow cytometry unit and a dedicated RNAi Screening facility.

Entry Criteria: First class Honours Degree in a Biomedical subject.

Course dates: Starting late September

Course Structure

The course is split into two equal semesters. Modules are undertaken to the value of 180 credits:

• 90 credits of taught modules, including practicals and lectures. This is complemented by an extensive research project and a literature review worth 90 credits.

There are four main elements:

• core research project and literature review (90 credits)
• core critical analysis and ethics and public awareness of science modules (30 credits)
• choice of 2 lecture-based modules (30 credits)
• choice of two laboratory practical-based modules (30 credits)

Note. As the literature review and research project comprise half of the available credits,  projects may also be chosen from contributing departments -  Engineering Materials or Computer Science.

Modules

The following list links to the tabled information provided further down the page.

Core elements

• Literature Review
• Laboratory Research Project
• Critical Analysis of Current Science
• Ethics and Public Awareness of Science

Choice of two practical modules (15 credits)

• Practical Cell Biology
• Practical Developmental Genetics
• Integrative Mammalian Biology

Note: Numbers of participants may be restricted on practical modules in order to maintain an effective laboratory learning experience.

Choice of two lecture modules (15 credits)

• Modelling Human Disease
• Cancer Biology
• Epithelial Physiology in Health and Disease

Description of Modules

Literature Review Core module - 30 credits Dr. Marcello Rivolta email : M.N.Rivolta@sheffield.ac.uk This unit involves an in-depth survey of the current literature relevant to the student’s laboratory research project. It runs before the practical laboratory commences in order to give the student the academic background necessary to complete the laboratory work successfully. Students will carry out an exhaustive search of material relevant to their project using the resources of the University, including appropriate databases and specialist search engines, as well as paper-based resources in the University Library. The unit involves primarily private study by the student under the direction of the project supervisor who will meet the student at regular intervals to ensure satisfactory progress.

Laboratory Research Project Core module - 60 credits Professor Steve Winder emai : S.Winder@sheffield.ac.uk The unit aims to provide students with experience of laboratory research and develop their practical and organisational skills required for a career in science. Students undertake a project related to their area of specialization which reflects the research activities in the Department. Projects will run in the laboratories of the research groups and although students will have contact with various staff, each student will have an identified member of staff as their project supervisor. Students will gain experience of experimental design and execution and in the collation, interpretation and presentation of data. Assessment of the project will be based on; a written report, laboratory performance, delivery and defence of an oral presentation, a poster presentation and an oral examination.

Critical Analysis of Current Science Core module - 15 credits Dr. Anne-Gaelle Borycki email: A.G.Borycki@sheffield.ac.uk This unit is designed to develop the student’s ability to read and understand the scientific literature relating to their own research area and also enable them to integrate their own work into the wider scientific field. The unit consists of three components; a tutorial/seminar programme of up to 16 tutorial sessions designed to develop student skills in reading, understanding and criticising scientific literature; attendance at departmentally organised review lectures covering broad areas of science delivered by internationally recognised scientists; participation in all support sessions provided by the research groups in support of their research programme. Each component would be assessed separately with written reports, some undertaken under formal examination conditions.

Ethics and Public Awareness of Science Core module - 15 credits Dr Andrew Furley email: a.j.furley@sheffield.ac.uk This unit introduces an outline of the legislative limitations and ethical influences on biomedical science. It will address how these are influenced by public attitudes and explore how these, in turn, are influenced by the scientific community. The unit will contain a factual and objective core, however students will be encouraged to explore, develop and express their own beliefs and value systems.

Practical Cell Biology Optional practical module - 15 credits Professor Liz Smythe email: e.smythe@sheffield.ac.uk The practical unit will provide students with experience of practical cell biology.  Students will be given the opportunity to establish and optimise ELISA-based assays for the endocytic pathway and the role of the cytoskeleton will be investigated in aspects of the endocytic process using inhibitors and fluorescence microscopy of fixed cells. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development, execution and interpretation of experimental protocols as is standard practice in a research laboratory.

Practical Developmental Genetics Optional practical module - 15 credits Dr Vincent Cunliffe email: v.t.cunliffe@sheffield.ac.uk The practical unit aims to provide students with experience of research techniques in developmental biology. Students will perform experiments designed to reveal molecular and cellular principles underpinning developmental mechanisms. Emphasis will be placed on exploiting classical genetic and molecular resources available in model organisms such as zebrafish, Drosophila melanogaster, and chick for studying gene function in development. Students will gain experience of performing experimental work, data collection and interpretation of results.

Integrative Mammalian Biology Optional practical module - 15 credits Professor D. Grundy email: D.Grundy@sheffield.ac.uk This unit aims to provide students with the necessary information and skills for them to obtain a Home Office Personal Licence to carry out animal experimentation, including ethics, the 3 R’s, experimental design, statistics and animal handling skills. In addition the practical course will provide basic training in simple surgical techniques, anaesthesia and experimental systems for integrated mammalian biology.

Modelling Human Disease Optional lecture module - 15 credits Professor Marysia Placzek email: m.placzek@sheffield.ac.uk This unit aims to provide students with an understanding of the way that post-genomic developmental biology is impacting on our ability to understand, and treat, human disease. Students will be introduced to some of the major experimental systems and approaches that are pertinent to disease modelling. These include genetically-tractable animal model systems, in vitro cellular systems, including stem cells, and bioinformatics. The principles involved in establishing how these systems can be exploited to develop new strategies for regeneration, and the prevention of degeneration, will be explored. Lectures will be interspersed with critical evaluations of primary research papers, so that students gain experience of analysing experimental work, data presentation and interpretation of results.

Cancer Biology Optional lecture module - 15 credits Professor Peter Andrews email: p.andrews@sheffield.ac.uk The unit will provide a description and explanation of the characteristics of tumour cells and their relationship to the tissues of origin; genetic and environmental factors in the origins of tumours; cell culture models and animal models; carcinogenesis as a multi-step process, including the concept of stem cells, (cell proliferation and cell differentiation, metastasis and tumour-host interactions; oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes and oncogenic viruses; the relationships between tumour biology and developmental biology; tumour immunology; examples of particular tumours will be used to illustrate the foregoing topics.

Epithelial Physiology in Health and Disease Optional lecture module - 15 credits Dr Louise Robson email: l.robson@sheffield.ac.uk The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of the strategies used by epithelia to effect transport of ions and water, and to explore the pathophysiological states associated with a number of inherited diseases, such as cystic fibrosis. Teaching will consist of conventional lectures together with problem solving exercises. The module initially considers the general properties of epithelia, before focusing on the molecular basis of epithelial transport in health and disease. The emphasis throughout will be to appreciate how experimental research informs our understanding of these issues, reflecting the University’s mission statement to lead teaching by current research.

Last updated: 4 March 2013