About the Department
Why we changed our name
The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine was formerly known as the Department of Pathology and Microbiology. The change of name came about as, although clinical histopathology remains an important component of the work that we do, we recognize that we have evolved into what is principally a cutting edge centre of excellence for the study of Cancer Biology and Infection and Immunology. We have therefore changed our name in order to reflect better the activities of the department and its staff in this new age.
A centre of Excellence in research and teaching
The high quality of the teaching that the department carries out was recognised when the department scored a maximum 24 out of 24 in the last national Teaching Quality Assurance assessment. These external markers of achievement highlight that the Department very successfully balances its aims, which are to teach and to carry out high quality research into the processes underlying human disease, its treatment and prevention.
Our staff; who they are, their location and how this benefits our students
We are located in the School of Medical Sciences and also have practicing clinical staff working in the major Bristol hospitals. As a result, the scientific research and teaching of the Department is conducted with a focused clinical perspective. Our students are taught both by scientists and clinicians, and our research ranges from studies of basic biological processes to work addressing acute clinical needs.
The Department belongs to the Faculty of Medical & Veterinary Science and is responsible for the teaching of all aspects of cancer biology, immunology, bacteriology and virology to our own science undergraduates, to those from other departments and to medical and dental students. Our science courses are designed in order to provide students with a wide variety of choices, allowing them to specialize as their interests develop.
The staff of the Department follow various interests including Immunology, Microbiology, Virology, Cancer Biology and Histopathology, and are based in the School of Medical Sciences and in the hospitals in and around Bristol. They are able to draw upon their research expertise to ensure that the teaching enjoyed by our students reflects the cutting edge of the subject matter. Indeed, a key element of our undergraduate courses is a major final year research project carried out within one or other of the internationally recognized research teams in the Department. This gives our students hands on experience of the research process and provides them with a competitive edge when applying for higher degrees or future employment. The projects allow our students to contribute to important problems in contemporary cellular and molecular medicine.
About our research and research environment
The research activities of the Department are centred on research groups, supported by grants from both national and international funding agencies, including Charities, the EEC, Government organisations, Industry and Research Councils. Total grant income is in excess of £3 million p.a. The Department has a strong tradition of collaborative research with many other scientific and clinical departments in the University and with outside organisations such as local hospitals, the Health Protection Agency (HPA), pharmaceutical companies, Government departments, as well as with colleagues in other universities in the U.K. and abroad. The research activities of the Department are primarily, but not exclusively, medically oriented.
The Department has completed a major refurbishment of its immunology, microbiology, virology and cancer research facilities. This has created an outstanding working/studying environment with state-of-the-art facilities for flow cytometry, tissue culture, molecular biology, peptide and protein analysis and microbiology. The Department also has access to facilities in the MRC Cell Imaging Facility which includes Confocal Microscopy.
Living in Bristol
The city of Bristol is an exciting place in which to live and study and the University of Bristol is one of the top universities in the UK. Set against this very attractive background, the Department aims to provide a stimulating and enjoyable environment where students and staff can achieve their teaching, learning and research goals in the fullest possible sense.
Departmental Brochure
The Department has produced a brochure for prospective undergraduate students highlighting its research and teaching work. You can download the Departmental brochure from here (pdf file; size 1,224 Kb).