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The LMCB is an internationally renowned centre for cell and tissue biology research. We run several modules and programmes across our areas of expertise.
Programmes
MRes Computational Cell Biophysics
This is a new interdisciplinary programme at the intersection between physics and biology. Students will learn how core concepts in physics, maths and computational biology can accelerate cell biology research, and will be equipped with the tools to problem-solve using innovative cross-disciplinary approaches.
Modules
LMCB0001 - MRes Laboratory-Based Research Project in Biophysics
This module is an extended 120-credit research project for MRes Computational Cell Biophysics students that runs from January to September in each calendar year. The module is designed to be an immersive and realistic exposure to interdisciplinary research in the field of biophysics. The students have a choice of projects proposed by two researchers (supervisors) one from the physical sciences and the other from biological sciences. The projects are designed to address fundamental questions in biology but using approaches more associated with the physical sciences.
LMCB0002 - Research Techniques in Cell Biology and Biophysics
Students attend one of either the weekly internal seminars that take place in the Division of Biosciences or the LMCB. In addition, students attend at least one seminar given by an external speaker in Biosciences, the LMCB or IPLS each week. A tutorial series on cutting edge techniques in cell biology and biophysics is coupled with lab visits to explore the technology in more detail. Assessment of student performance is via a 150-word web page written in a conversational/informal style (a blog) on the content of one of the external seminars and via a 2000-word comparative review of a cell biological or biophysical technique where the technique chosen is compared to alternative methodologies and its contribution/potential contribution to the field discussed.
LMCB0003 - Computational Cell Biophysics
Given the increasingly complex systems used, and vast amounts of data accumulated by scientific research, interdisciplinarity is essential in the effort to generate new knowledge and to drive innovation. Computational Cell Biophysics is a 15-credit level 7 module designed to encourage students to take an interdisciplinary approach to cell biology. In particular, the goal of the module is to provide students with a conceptual and quantitative understanding of areas of Physics that are relevant to Biology. The module will encourage students to broaden their horizons by making connections between ideas and concepts across different disciplines, as well as learn numerical and computational programming skills in Python. The module provides research-led teaching by UCL scientists working at the interface of cell biology and physics. Core concepts in physics (themes), illustrated by relevant biological phenomena, will be introduced in face-2-face lectures. Students then explore the extent to which the analysis is generalizable across systems and scales using custom designed on-line exercises. Finally, workshops, in which students present the results of the online exercises, reinforce the learnt material and provide the opportunity for discussion.