Within the stimulating and diverse research and training environment of international standing, we lead and advance on essential questions in exciting areas of modern biochemistry, biotechnology, and medicine at the atomic, molecular, cellular and organism levels.
Owing to the strength and the technical expertise of its research community, SMB is a key player in many collaborative multi-disciplinary projects across UCL, nationally and internationally. This vision is enhanced via our partnership with the School of Natural Sciences at Birkbeck College and the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB).
Emerging from the rich history of Biochemistry Departments at UCL, SMB provides a home to engaged, enthusiastic and well-supported staff and students. We learn and teach through our research; we nurture curiosity, welcome challenging questions, and embrace all voices.
Our Department
SMB People
Our researchers ask key questions in medicine, biology and biotechnology and answer them by relating different timescales and molecular processes to cellular function and human health.
Opportunities
Our growing and vibrant research community is always looking for the brightest minds in science - see all of our current opportunities.
History
From the provision for chemical physiology as early as 1909 to the groundbreaking work by Robert Plimmer, Jack Drummond and many more, UCL has been at the cutting edge of biochemistry research for ove
Research
Research Groups
Find out about the ground-breaking research work that is going on across the 30+ research groups which make up our department.
Research Themes
SMB develops innovative research in modern biochemistry, biotechnology, and medicine at the atomic, molecular, cellular and organism levels through six research themes.
Postdoctoral Researchers
Our research department is home to a thriving community of postdoctoral researchers and fellows supported by skills training, careers advice and more.
Research Fellowships
We promote multi-disciplinary research at the interface of structural, molecular and computational biology and welcome expressions of interest from prospective fellows.
Facilities
The Department hosts a number of facilities that underlie our work in the biophysics, molecular structure, biochemistry and cell biology fields.
SMB on Youtube
Watch our researchers presenting their work at conferences and events all over the world.
Study
Biosciences undergraduate programmes
We offer BSc and MSci Degrees in Biochemistry. Students in Biochemistry or Biological Sciences are also able to enter a Molecular Biology pathway in Year 2.
Postgraduate Master's
Biosciences offers a range of MSc and MRes programmes. In particular, the MRes Biosciences offers 12 pathways including Biochemistry.
PhD
The department offers both three and four year MPhil/PhD courses covering a variety of research projects.
Short Courses
Short and intense training for anyone wishing to learn new skills or further develop the ones they have. Courses have a high tutor/student ratio.
SMB 3 Minute Thesis Winner
Is it possible to present an 80,000 word thesis in 3 minutes in non-specialist language with just one slide?
Institute for Structural and Molecular Biology
The Institute for Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB) is a joint initiative between UCL and Birkbeck.
Equality, wellbeing and sustainability
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) and Wellbeing
Find out more about departmental Equality, Diversity & Inclusion efforts.
Contact Us
Department of Structural and Molecular Biology
Division of Biosciences
General Enquiries
- tel: +44 (0)20 7679 2308
- email: tabitha.owen@ucl.ac.uk
Postgraduate Enquiries
Undergraduate Enquiries
News
Structure of a Disease-Associated Conformational Intermediate of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin
Thalassinos Lab at UCL Characterises the Structure of a Disease-Associated Conformational Intermediate of Alpha-1-Antitrypsin
21 May 2025
Frances Brodsky elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Congratulations to Professor Frances Brodsky on being elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in the Cellular and Developmental Biology Section, in recognition of her outstanding scientific and leadership achievements.
06 May 2025
Combined NMR and Deep Neural Network approach enhances resolution of protein aromatic side chains
FID-Net-2, a deep learning model, enhances the resolution of 1H-13C NMR spectra for aromatic side chains. It offers detailed structural and dynamic insights that improve NMR analysis in structural biology.
07 Jan 2025