Bioengineering - MRes
Bioengineering has contributed to revolutionary, sometimes life-saving, innovations – from artificial organs and replacement hips and knees, to pacemakers, dialysis machines, ultrasound and other medical imaging techniques. A fascinating, rapidly-evolving discipline, it is leading the development of stem cell therapies, regenerative medicine, and novel biopharmaceuticals, including engineered organisms for agricultural, chemical or pharmaceutical manufacturing. You will conduct in-depth research supervised by leading experts at the forefront of bio and medical engineering and develop strong skills in research design, experimentation and analysis, both wet and dry, to prepare you for research-orientated careers.
Month of entry
- September
Mode of study
- Full time, Part time
Fees for 2023/24 academic year
- UK - Full time £11,500 per year. Part time £6,400 per year.
International - £21,900 per year.
Duration of study
- 1 year full time or 2 years part time
Please note: this course is no longer accepting applications from international students for September 2023 entry
Why study Bioengineering at Keele University?
Course summary
There is an increasing demand for bioengineers whose knowledge of engineering, maths and the physical sciences serves society's desire to develop new technology, machinery, and the advanced treatment and therapies needed to combat rising health problems.
Bioengineering – also referred to as biomedical engineering – applies traditional engineering techniques to primarily solve medical and biological problems, inventing new equipment, materials, methods and processes to safely and accurately diagnose patients, improve medical treatment and its outcomes. It is responsible for innovations ranging from prosthetic limbs and heart valves, to tissue, stem cell research and gene modification.
This Master of Research (MRes) is a research-based programme of study, which enables you to develop advanced research skills and conduct in-depth research, under the supervision of one of our many leading experts in bio and medical engineering. From the outset, you will focus your studies by choosing one of two available pathways – Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Engineering (MCT) or Biomedical Engineering (BME).
By way of example, research by one previous MCT pathway student, under the supervision of Professor Nick Forsyth, involved mucous profiling of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) patient-derived small-airway models. Another BME pathway student, under the supervision of Professor Peter Ogrodnik, assisted the development of an experimental model of flexible walled blood vessels.
Based in the Guy Hilton Research Centre, A European Centre for Excellence in tissue engineering, gives you access to cell culture facility, bioreactor, confocal microscopy, flow cytometer, qPCR machines, DNA pyrosequencer, mass spectrometers, HPLC, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, 3D printer, and computerized topography.
Our proximity to the University Hospital means you’ll be able to see physiological monitors and diagnostic instrumentation being used and serviced. This could include anything from electroencephalograms (EEG), electrocardiograms (ECG) or electromyography (EMG) to anaesthetic machines or kidney dialysis.
You will be taught by staff with real world experience of developing and commercialising medical products, in particular, technological innovations that have improved the treatment of fractures and spinal injuries for thousands of patients.
Our active researchers are studying how tissue engineering can aid the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and the potential to use nanotechnology to control cell behaviour in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s. And, as part of the Versus Arthritis Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Therapies Centre, our researchers are pioneering cell therapy treatments to regenerate damaged bones, joints and muscles in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Other courses you might be interested in:
- MSc Biomedical Engineering
- MSc Medical Engineering Design
- MSc Cell and Tissue Engineering
Next Steps
Course structure
Bioengineering encompasses a broad range of knowledge and skills, combining aspects of biology, physics, chemistry, maths and engineering. These are attractive to a wide range of employers, including hospitals, universities, medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies, research institutes or laboratories.
Our programme offers two study pathways – Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Engineering (MCT) or Biomedical Engineering (BME). These pathways enable you to tailor your study according to your interests and aspirations, but do not form part of the official award title of ‘MRes Bioengineering’.
As a research-focused course, the bulk of your study (120 credits) is devoted to your research project, which you will begin preparing in the first semester and work on throughout the course under the supervision of an expert in an agreed field of interest. The research project offers an exciting opportunity for you to demonstrate advanced knowledge and writing skills in your chosen research theme, preparing you to pursue a research career or further research study, such as a PhD.
Experimental Research Methodology, which is taught across the first two semesters, is designed to equip you with advanced academic study and research skills. You will learn more about research ethics, health and safety issues within a laboratory setting, for example, and how to conduct a literature review, and how to use statistics to analyse data.
You will study a further two (MCT) or one (BME) core modules, which are tailored to your pathway. In addition, you will choose one (MCT) or two (BME) optional modules, which you can select to match your chosen pathway. These pathways and optional modules will be selected early on in the course following discussion with your supervisor and course director.
The MRes Bioengineering can be studied as either a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course, with start dates in September. The taught modules run over Semesters 1 and 2, with the research project (including write up) running over all three semesters. You will complete 180 credits to obtain the master’s qualification, including the core Project Dissertation (120 credits).
Core module (Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Engineering pathway)
PHA-40236 Biotechnology & Omics (15 credits)
Recent trends in biomedicine and bioengineering apply advances in biotechnology and molecular data science (omics) towards personalized medicine. This module explores concepts and technology to manipulate genes, proteins, cells or the information from them to understand biology or diseases and provide therapies. In addition, learning through this module exposes students to Omics approaches such as genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, that have changed the landscape of different diseases. This module therefore aims to educate students on identifying current methods for development of personalized medicine.
MTE-40033 Cell and Tissue Engineering (15 credits)
Cell and tissue engineering is a rapidly evolving component of the Regenerative Medicine discipline which promises to change the way clinicians deliver therapies and treat traditionally incurable diseases and disorders including; osteoarthritis, diabetes, liver failure, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. Highlighting the latest research findings in engineering various cells, tissues and organs, you’ll be introduced to current concepts and methods used to apply and evaluate stimulus to cells to construct bioartificial tissues in vitro or alter cell growth and function in vivo by implanting donor tissue or biocompatible materials
Core module (Biomedical Engineering pathway)
MTE-40026 Physiological Measurements (15 credits)
Learning why and how physiological processes of humans are measured and monitored, this module aims to improve your analytical skills in different physiological measurement, diagnostics and therapy techniques. Studying the basic principles of biological sensing within research and clinical environments, you’ll be given demonstrations and hands-on use of devices commonly used for physiological measurement, such as ECG and EEG devices. To help you better understand how to select appropriate biological tests and devices, you will discuss and evaluate the different instrumentation used to assess specific anatomical structures, such as the heart and lungs, to measure their physiological properties by medics and in biomedical research.
Optional modules (both pathways)
MTE-40024 Human Physiology and Anatomy (15 credits)
Setting the foundation in a biological context in preparation for the study of more advanced topics, this module provides you with a broad knowledge of human physiology and anatomy. You’ll develop your understanding of the structure and function of major tissue types, organs and systems. You’ll also start to look at the treatment and diagnosis of diseases affecting human body systems, including the respiratory system and the circulatory system, as well as anatomic and physiological disorders, such as stoke and kidney failure.
MTE-40023 Biomechanics (15 credits)
Biomechanics is the science of investigating the effects of forces on biological tissues, organs and systems. It thus covers a wide field, ranging from the application of statics and dynamics to analyse forces and moments in the body, through to the application of mechanics of materials to analyse the constitutive behaviour of cells, tissues and organs in the body. Biomechanics helps to understand why tissues, organs and systems have the structure and shape they have, and provides basic knowledge for designing medical devices. After completing this module, you should be able to: (1) Analyse forces at skeletal joints for various static and dynamic human activities, (2) Identify relationships between structure and function in tissues and the implications and importance of these relationships, (3) Recall general characteristics, material properties, and appropriate constitutive models for a given tissue or organ, and (4) Analyse stresses and strains in biological tissues, given the loading conditions and material properties. In addition, you will participate in a practical workshop measuring mechanical properties of a skeletal tissue such as bone.
Optional modules (Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Engineering pathway)
MTE-40028 Stem Cells: Types, Characteristics and Applications (15 credits)
The field of stem cell biology is fast-paced with state-of-the-art research being competitively conducted across the world. On this module, you’ll draw on up-to-date international research in stem cell biology to build your knowledge from basic principles of stem cell isolation and differentiation, right through to the latest therapeutic use of stem cells, for example, for the treatment of arthritis. The lecture series is delivered by leading academic researchers. To cement your understanding of the knowledge learned in class, you’ll undertake practical stem cell laboratory work.
Optional modules (Biomedical Engineering pathway)
MTE-30003 Engineering for Medical Applications (15 credits)
You will cover the fundamentals of mechanics, electronics and electromagnetism necessary to understand the application of relevant physical and engineering principles to medicine and biology. Ideal if you are transitioning from a non-physics, maths or engineering background, you’ll learn to apply mathematical concepts to engineering and numerical modelling, including differential calculus, indices, exponentials and logarithms. Applying the theory you learn to practical measurement, you’ll take part in a workshop-based project.
MTE-40029 Medical Equipment and Technology Services Management (15 credits)
Medical devices play a key role in healthcare, vital for diagnosis, therapy, monitoring, rehabilitation and care. Effective management and maintenance is critical to ensure high quality patient care and satisfy clinical and financial governance. You will gain an insight into technology management processes that allow healthcare providers to make the best use of their medical equipment and technology services, limiting clinical and financial risk. You’ll learn about the lifecycle of medical equipment and the roles of clinical engineers in ensuring its safe and effective management, comparing and evaluating different models of equipment maintenance. You’ll also be introduced to the legislation and obligations of the various health professionals involved as part of good clinical governance.
PHA-40236 Biotechnology & Omics (15 credits)
Recent trends in biomedicine and bioengineering apply advances in biotechnology and molecular data science (omics) towards personalized medicine. This module explores concepts and technology to manipulate genes, proteins, cells or the information from them to understand biology or diseases and provide therapies. In addition, learning through this module exposes students to Omics approaches such as genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, that have changed the landscape of different diseases. This module therefore aims to educate students on identifying current methods for development of personalised medicine.
Core module (both pathways)
MTE-40039 Experimental Research Methodology (15 credits)
Developing the academic skillset required for your master’s research and future scientific career, you’ll gain a strong grounding in appropriate level literature search, academic writing, statistical analysis and processing of data. From learning how to take notes in research seminars, to managing your time efficiently in written examinations and writing a comprehensive literature review, this module addresses your personal and professional development. Research seminars provide direct access to innovative research, with students recently introduced to advanced topics of research seminars. Classes on statistics are also provided to support other theoretical and practical aspects of your course.
Core module (both pathways)
PHA-40196 Research Project (120 credits)
This MRes research project is intended to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen topic, making you aware of current research in the field and enabling you to confidently discuss research issues in an academic context. Your dissertation topic needs to be considered and agreed in the first semester the programme, so that you can choose the most relevant taught modules. You will then plan and produce a substantial and extended piece of written work (25,000-30,000 words) under supervision, incorporating a literature review, description of methods, your analysis and findings, relating to previous findings and making conclusions. You will also be expected to verbally present and discuss your discoveries.
Optional modules (both pathways)
You will choose one module from a choice of four modules, two of which are available for both pathways and two selected for the pathways.
MTE-40030 Nanomagnetics in Nanomedicine (15 credits)
The application of nanotechnologies, in particular the use of nanoparticles to improve the behaviour of drug substances, is being used globally to improve the treatments for patients suffering from disorders including cancer, kidney disease, fungal infections, and more. Now, the sub-field of nanomagnetics is playing a major role in the development of new technologies for the assessment and therapeutic treatment of biological tissues. For example, rapidly reversing the magnetic field of nanoparticles injected into a tumour generates enough heat to kill cancer cells. Delivered through a series of lectures from multidisciplinary experts working at the interface of physics and biology, this module introduces you to the theoretical concepts of nanomagnetism and the state-of-the-art research in this field.
MTE-40036 Biomaterials (15 credits)
Taking a multidisciplinary approach, this module provides an overview of all types of materials, natural and synthetic, used in biological environments to support, enhance, or replace damaged tissue or a biological function. It explains the fundamental aspects of biomaterials from a materials perspective, but with particular focus on their use and potential wear within a biological ‘host’. You will develop a systematic knowledge, ranging from the physical structure and chemical properties of biomaterials, to how they interact with biological tissues during implantation, for example, in the case of heart valves and hip replacements. This will help you learn how materials are assessed within the clinic and how material properties can be altered/engineered to produce biomaterials with enhanced abilities, for instance, antibiofilm, and osteogenic activity.
MTE-40022 Bioreactors and Growth Environments (15 credits)
The global bioreactors market is predicted to grow 14% between 2022 to 2029; fuelled by increases in conditions like cancer and diabetes and the resulting demand for effective vaccines and treatments. This module covers the design principals and functionality of bioreactors used, for example, to grow organisms for cell development and product formation. As well as demonstrations on the workings of a range of research laboratory and good manufacturing practice (GMP) grade bioreactor systems used in academia and industry, you’ll be introduced to current real-world applications of bioreactors in regenerative medicine through a series of seminar-style presentations from national and international renowned researchers.
Optional modules (Molecular, Cellular and Tissue Engineering pathway)
MTE-40034 Cell Biomechanics (15 credits)
Research into the relationship between the biological function and architecture of cells and their behaviour is providing new perspectives on the role of biomechanics in disease. You’ll be given an overview of modern techniques for both clinical and in vitro cell biomechanics, giving you a firm knowledge and understanding of the interrelationship between mechanics and cell biology. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply constitutive models to experimental data, gaining some direct insight into the application of cell biomechanics in cell/tissue engineering and biomedical engineering.
Optional modules (Biomedical Engineering pathway)
MTE-40038 Medical Device Design Principles (15 credits)
You will develop your understanding of the systems engineering approach to medical device design, including the role of ergonomics in the design of safe and reliable medical devices. You’ll learn the importance of standards and regulations for medical device design, gaining an overview of aspects of the mechanical, electrical and software components of medical devices. This module is taught by Professor Peter Ogrodnik, who has founded two medical devices companies and is a named inventor on numerous patents. He has literally written the book on Medical Device Design, first published in 2012 with a second edition in 2019, which is a core text in R&D departments.
MTE-40031 Biomedical Signal Processing and Analysing (15 credits)
All living things, from cells to organisms, deliver signals of biological origin, which can be electric, mechanical or chemical. Analysing these signals can provide clinical, biochemical or pharmaceutically relevant information to improve medical diagnosis, either for patient monitoring and biomedical research. You will be introduced to the fundamentals of signal and image processing, applying theory to practical examples, learning to filter signals of interest from noisy, redundant background data. Using an advanced software package, MATLAB, in your analysis, you’ll interpret complex signals in the context of physiological functions.
Next Steps
Entry requirements
This degree is designed for those individuals with a Bachelor’s degree 2:2 or above in bioengineering, biotechnology, chemical, physical, or life sciences, medicine, or professions allied to medicine are welcomed. We also encourage enquiries from people with other professional qualifications acceptable to the University.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENTRY REQUIREMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component. The University also accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests. If you do not meet the English language requirements, the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes. During your degree programme you can study additional English language courses. This means you can continue to improve your English language skills and gain a higher level of English.
Next Steps
Funding
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2023 start date falls in the 2022/23 academic year. Please see the 2022/23 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2023.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.
Next Steps
Your career
Bioengineering is a rapidly growing discipline that combines technical engineering know-how with biomedical and biological expertise to develop innovative solutions to problems across a range of technical and clinical environments, from new medical implants and gene therapies to insect-resistant crops.
The ability to modify genes, proteins, cells, tissue and other biomaterials opens up exciting careers with a wide range of employers. This includes universities and research institutes, pharmaceutical manufacturers, engineering and life sciences firms, companies in research and development, as well as medical devices and supplies manufacturing organisations.
Specialist career routes include: bioinstrumentation; biomaterials; classical mechanics; cellular, tissue and genetic engineering; clinical engineering; medical imaging; orthopedic bioengineering; rehabilitation engineering; systems physiology; consulting; or teaching.
Our MRes provides a solid grounding in research, analysis and scientific presentation, which is excellent preparation for PhD programmes in a variety of subject areas, a research-based academic career or professions requiring a postgraduate Master's qualification.
On graduation, you have multiple career options, including working within the biomaterials, medical devices, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and regenerative medicine industries. You could also work as a researcher, scientist or technician in government-funded research laboratories, here in the UK or internationally.
Positions may include:
- Academic
- Bioengineer
- Biomedical engineer
- Clinical engineer
- Design support officer
- Development engineer
- Manufacturing specialist
- Mechanical engineer
- Medical design engineer
- Product developer
- Product design engineer
- Research associate
- Research scientist
- Sales representative (medical technology)
- Scientist
- Senior Scientist (R&D)
- Technician
Next Steps
Teaching, learning and assessment
How you'll be taught
The taught element of the programme includes subject-centred lectures, accompanied by laboratory-based practical sessions, workshops to deepen and broaden your research skill base, and seminars by internationally and nationally known scientists, engineers and clinicians.
Previous seminars have, for example, introduced students to novel therapeutic approaches for Huntington's Disease, the development of heart patches for transplant, and gene therapy and newborn screening advances for rare neurodegenerative diseases.
You’ll have access to an extensive range of specialist facilities and laboratory equipment with opportunities for light microscopy, confocal microscopy, cell culture facility, flow cytometry, mass spectrometer, Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, microCT, qPCR, DNA pyrosequencer, and chromatographic systems.
You will attend group meetings, present and interact with other PhD, Postdoc and researchers within the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering. This, together with the fact we share modules with the MSc Biomedical Engineering and MSc Cell and Tissue Engineering courses, ensures you’ll learn in an interesting and engaging environment, building the professional networks that will support your career.
Allocated at the start of your studies, your personal tutor will provide guidance and you’ll also receive dedicated research project supervision. As well as web-based virtual learning materials, you’ll have full access to two libraries, online journal access and a suite of dedicated computers for exclusive use by students on the course.
Teaching schedule
Teaching takes place over the first two semesters. There are no formal group classes during Semesters 2 and 3, but you consult with supervisors and access the University’s learning and teaching facilities and support services.
- Semester 1 runs from the end of September to the end of January, with an assessment period in January.
- Semester 2 runs from the last week of January to the middle of June, with the assessment period in June.
- Semester 3 runs from June to the end of September.
How you’ll be assessed
Modules are assessed by a mixture of assessment methods, including practical tests, lab reports, essays, presentations and examinations to demonstrate your understanding of subject-specific content, as well as your analytical abilities and your evaluation of particular concepts and methodologies. Formative assessment occurs in a continuous process driven by lecturer-led discussion sessions, one-on-one mentoring, and practice presentations and posters. For the research project, both the written dissertation and oral presentation will be assessed.
Next Steps
Keele Postgraduate Association
Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.
Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.
Our expertise
Teaching staff
Research within the School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering bridges the interface between new advances in science and technology with medicine and clinical practice, bringing together biological scientists, physicists, chemists, engineers, mathematicians and clinicians. Our exceptional track record in bench and bedside regenerative medicine research builds on the reputation and success of the Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine (ISTM), a European Centre of Excellence.
Our staff have been at the forefront of many innovative developments, working closely with healthcare partners including the Royal Stoke University Hospital (RSUH), one of the larger trauma hospitals in the country. For example, the Hartshill Horseshoe is an implant now in widespread use for spinal surgery across the world.
They have helped transform the treatment of leg fractures by two devices in particular. The Staffordshire Orthopaedic Reduction Machine (STORM), which realigns leg fractures prior to surgery, bringing them back to near perfect alignment, and IOS, a titanium alloy external fixator which promotes healing growth. Both inventions are now widely sold throughout Europe and the United States.
Teaching team includes:
- Dr Wen-Wu Li, Course Director and Senior Lecturer in Analytical Biochemistry – Having previously worked on anticancer drug discovery and development in Chengdu Diao Pharmaceutical Group, China, Wen-Wu’s research explores drug discovery and development, as well as bioengineering of peptides and antibodies for biomedical application in cancer and infectious diseases.
- Professor Peter Ogrodnik, Senior Lecturer and Head of Orthopaedics and Biomechanics Research Group – a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, Peter has conducted research into optimising the treatment of tibial fractures for over 20 years. Having founded two medical device companies himself, he has enhanced the application of engineering design principles to the solution of medical devices and his book Medical Devices Design is a core text in core R&D departments. In 2021, he received the Inspire, Support, Achieve Award from the Institution of Engineering Designers for his work to establish the charity ENG4, providing engineering solutions relating to healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Dr Jan-Herman Kuiper, Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics – Jan has extensive experience in the use of Finite Element-based computer models for design optimisation, modelling of hydrated tissues and bone, and biological processes such as adaptive bone remodelling and fracture repair. One of his long standing interests is the control of biological processes through mechanical conditions, in particular, mechanical guidance of skeletal tissue formation, and the development and pre-clinical testing of joint replacement implants, bioresorbable orthopaedic devices and bone substitution products.
- Dr Vinoj George, Lecturer – His research interest is in understanding and modulating mechanisms associated with cardiovascular cell biology and cardiovascular diseases, with the aid of genome engineering in human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (hiPSCs).
- Professor Nicholas Forsyth, Professor of Stem Cell Biology – His research is focused on three primary inter-related areas: basic biology of stem cells; cellular response to physiological norms; and the derivation of clinically useful cell types.
- Professor Ying Yang, Professor in Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering – Ying's current research has been focused on the application of engineering strategies in translational medicine. This includes smart nanofiber design and applications, detection of variation of cell adhesion capacities, developing immunemodulating materials, exploring unique techniques to detect heterogeneous cellular populations and correlating the structures of collagen based matrices to diseases.
- Professor Neil Telling, Professor of Biomedical Nanophysics – Neil’s current research focuses on two main themes: the fabrication, functionalisation, reactivity and application of magnetic nanostructures in the biomedical sciences; and investigations of biomineralised nanoscale minerals related to neurodegenerative disorders.
- Dr Gianpiero Di Leva, Senior Lecturer in Molecular Biology – His research focuses on his long-standing interest in exploring the molecular roles of non-coding RNAs (ribonucleic acid) in determining cell fate changes and gene regulation. He aims to identify vulnerabilities in cancer cells and define innovative way to target them.
- Dr Abigail Rutter, Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering – Abigail’s research interests are multidisciplinary; utilising bioengineering, spectrometry and spectroscopy to advance healthcare technologies and understanding. Primary focuses are to move analytical technology and practices to the non-invasive or non-destructive routes.
Next Steps
Facilities
The School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, is located on two main sites: Hornbeam Building at the heart of Keele University campus and the Guy Hilton Research Centre in Hartshill with additional laboratories and facilities at three main NHS hospitals; University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM), Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt (RJAH) Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry and the Haywood Hospital, Stoke on Trent.
Guy Hilton Research Centre
The Guy Hilton Research Centre, which opened in 2006, provides extensive facilities for postgraduate taught and research students within the Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine (ISTM). This includes a a dedicated room for MSc students and large study suite for PhD/MPhil/DM students with 24/7 access and Wi-Fi.
As well as generic laboratories, specialist facilities include a class 100 clean room for supporting sample materials research, GMP and MCA approved facilities for human cell therapy, and molecular facilities which support the development of magnetic nanotechnology in therapeutics and diagnostics, and SIFT-MS (selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry) technology for breath analysis.
Structural Biology facilities
Recent refurbishments have provided coherent research facilities and laboratories for structural biology. These include a new purpose-built X-ray room, a protein biochemistry laboratory, a walk-in cold room, a graphics room (PCs, SGI O2+s, SGI Octane) and a dedicated resource room. Human genomics facilities include: whole-genome analysis and expression characterised through an Affymetrix workstation and microarray facility; equipment for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis; high-throughput sequencing (ABI) and mutation analysis based on Wave (Transgenomics) and Pyrosequencing technologies; cell sorting and cell cycle (FACS) analysis.
Electron Microscope Unit
The Electron Microscope Unit has a range of microscopic techniques available to capture images, make slides and acquire data from biological, geological, physical and chemical specimens. These include: visible and electron microscopy; light microscopy; confocal/two photon imaging; field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM); conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray microanalysis; atomic force microscopy (AFM); ultramicrotomy; vibratome; and microslice.
Proteomic Mass Spectrometry facility
Run in collaboration with Guy Hilton Research Centre (GHRC) and the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH) in Oswestry, this facility offers a range of mass spectrometry equipment based at Huxley Building on Keele campus. Providing proteomics and mass spectrometry services for UK based researchers, equipment includes a 4800 MALDI TOF/TOF and 3200 QTRAP tandem quadrupole mass spectrometers, with nanoflow HPLC interfaces.
Central Science Laboratory (CSL)
The University’s £34m Central Science Laboratory (CSL) opened its doors to students in September 2019 and provides 5,300m2 of modern, co-located science laboratories. Over £2m alone has been spent on industrial research-grade analytical and laboratory equipment that will be used by students in their day-to-day laboratory teaching. Access to state-of-the-art facilities and high specification equipment will ensure you are well prepared for scientific or industrial employment post-graduation. The environment mirrors the multi-faceted nature of working life and the shared space allows group working and collaboration between disciplines, building the skills and experience much valued by employers.
David Weatherall Laboratories
These multi-users laboratories house equipment for histology, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry and microbiology practicals. Here students learn to use stethoscopes, sphygmomanometers, microscopes, computerised spirometry, ECG and EMG equipment, make accurate drug dilutions, and gain skills in basic life support on resuscitation manikins. Facilities are also available to learn sterile technique, ophthalmoscopy, otoscopy and drug delivery. The IT laboratory, which has extended opening hours, houses over 50 networked PCs with additional facilities for digital imaging, scanning, and printing.
Next Steps