PhD student looking at experimental results in the laboratory
​ Kent/Jason Dodd.

Research

Our internationally acclaimed research promotes the understanding of human diseases and how living systems can be of benefit to human society.

World-leading research

Within our collaborative research community, the School offers an inspiring environment where researchers at all levels can produce their best work. 

An impressive 93% of our active research staff submitted to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework and 88% of this research was classed as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'.

Our research is focussed on biological processes at the molecular and cellular level and spans the disciplines of biochemistry, genetics, biotechnology and biomedical research. The five main research themes within the School are:

Each theme is supported by specialist facilities. 


WORLD-LEADING EXPERTS

Our researchers are at the forefront of knowledge and have contributed to many scientific advances in the field.

Professor Martin Warren and colleague

A new era in cellular design

A research team led by Professor Martin Warren builds a miniature scaffold inside bacteria

Research groups and interdisciplinary centres

Medical testing of a sample in the lab

Cancer and ageing
Bacteria in a petri dish

Industrial biotechnology
ICSI fertility treatment

Evolution, reproduction and genome organisation
Cell nucleus

Cellular architecture and dynamics
Candida colony

Infectious diseases
Bacteria

Industrial Biotechnology Centre (interdisciplinary)
Fertilisation of an egg cell

Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Reproduction

Research impact

The 2014 Research Excellence Framework assessed the impact of our research and judged that over 85% was world-leading or internationally excellent.
Artificial voice box patient, photographed with his wife

Research into the artificial voice box

"Now it can be months, rather than weeks, before I need to have the prosthesis replaced."

Making a difference

Our researchers regularly collaborate with medical companies and clinicians. In recent times, this work has contributed to improvements in drug discovery, diagnosis, treatment and aftercare for a wide range of medical conditions, such as cancer, infertility and infection.

Biopharmaceutical manufacturers have also applied our research to create new diagnostics, novel medications and complex, high-value products.


In the news

Artist's impression of cell factories

Breakthrough could see bacteria used as cell factories to produce biofuels

Scientists have redesigned and engineered tiny bacterial cellular structures so they can be deployed to turn bacteria into ‘cell factories’.
Students and an academic in the laboratory

University scientists make vitamin B12 breakthrough

Scientists have discovered how the vitamin content of some plants can be improved to make vegetarian and vegan diets more complete.
Artist's impression of the Ebolavirus

Mass vaccinations will not prevent Ebolavirus outbreaks

Research shows that prophylactic mass vaccination programmes are not a realistic option in the battle to prevent new Ebolavirus outbreaks.
Diagram of chromosones

The Y chromosome is disappearing – so what will happen to men?

The Y chromosome may be a symbol of masculinity, but it is becoming increasingly clear that it is anything but strong and enduring.