Biochemistry is a fascinating discipline that enables understanding of the molecular basis of biological systems that underpin the function of the body in both health and disease, as well as elucidating the action of drugs and other therapeutic reagents.

Bristol is one of the best places to study biochemistry in the UK, and the school has over 60 years of teaching and research excellence. Importantly, the knowledge gained from this programme will help equip you for modern medical diagnosis and therapeutics which has an increasingly strong molecular basis, including the latest gene editing technologies for gene therapy, synthetic biology and personalised medicine.

How am I taught?

The course combines lectures, workshops, small-group tutorials, reading of primary literature and research projects.

You will be supported throughout by a personal tutor. You will have opportunities to improve communication skills through oral
and written presentations, and to critically evaluate experimental data and the conclusions drawn from them.

The knowledge and skills acquired will be invaluable for your clinical career and particularly important if you are considering a career as clinician scientist.

What will I study?

Advanced Molecular Cell Biology
This unit covers advanced topics in cell biology. It examines the roles played by proteins and other biomolecules in a range of cellular events and explores the techniques and experimental approaches needed to decipher those roles in the highly complex cellular environment. Topics include the mechanisms underpinning synaptic plasticity, membrane traffic in heath and disease, and the role of autophagy.

Advanced Macromolecular Structure and Function
This unit covers a range of topics in protein biochemistry and genomics. It addresses the techniques and experimental approaches needed to reveal protein structure and dynamics, looks at protein folding in solution and in membranes, and explores how genomic information is interpreted and maintained through interactions between DNA and proteins.

Topics in Medical Biochemistry
This unit covers a variety of topics of relevance to health and disease that are drawn from the research specializations of staff within the School of Biochemistry. These include the production and study of artificial red blood cells, cancer, wound healing and prion diseases.

Research Project
The unit is an opportunity for you to develop and demonstrate your skills as an independent thinker and researcher. During the
unit you will undertake a research project and a literature review.
You will have a separate supervisor for each, who will act as your main advisor and guide. In your research project you will synthesise new knowledge through real research and contribute to the advancement of the subject.