Biological Sciences (Functional And Comparative Genomics) Mphil

Overview Our research spans the biological sciences from genes and their regulation to whole organisms and ecosystems. We work with viruses, bacteria, fungi, animals, insects, plants and humans using state-of-the-art technologies, bioinformatics and mathematical models. Comparative genomics represents the analysis of DNA sequences from different organisms, allowing us to understand how individuals differ or species have diverged. This approach underpins studies ranging from evolutionary and population biology to the analysis of changes that result in cancer development or the identification of critical genetic factors relevant to personalised medicine. Functional genomics is the application of DNA sequence data to determine how organisms and specific processes work, whether through the identification of specific genes, monitoring gene expression globally (transcriptomics and proteomics) or facilitating the direct analysis and manipulation of specific genes and proteins. Our research aims to understand how biological systems are functionally integrated within the context of the whole organism using the most recent advances in genomic and post genomic technologies. We have a proven track record and leading expertise in the use of Next Generation DNA sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics, digital and array-based transcriptomics, proteomics, computational modelling, whole organism and cell imaging, conventional physiology and molecular biology and classical genetics.