MOAC (Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells) Doctoral Training Centre www.warwick.ac.uk/go/moac/ PROFILE RESEARCH DEGREES PhD TAUGHT COURSES MSc in Mathematical Biology and Biophysical Chemistry MSc in Chemistry with Scientific Writing (CSW) MSc in Communicating Multidisciplinary Science (CMS) DIRECTOR Professor Alison Rodger, BSc, PhD, DSc Sydney, MA Oxf, FRSC, FRACI NUMBER OF POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS 44 NUMBER OF OVERSEAS STUDENTS 10 NUMBER OF STUDENTSHIPS AND AWARD HOLDERS 38 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 1 University of Warwick Postgraduate Research Fellowship 5 Other FURTHER INFORMATION More information is available on the web site or from the administrator (Dr Dorothea Mangels or the Director). MOAC’s Administrator Dr Dorothea Mangels MOAC DTC Coventry House The University of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL Tel: +44 (0)24 7657 4695 Fax: +44 (0)24 7657 5795 E-mail: MOAC@warwick.ac.uk THE CENTRE The Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells (MOAC) Doctoral Training Centre is situated at the heart of Warwick's main campus in Coventry House, next door to Warwick Arts Centre. Students thriving at MOAC typically have a passion for multidisciplinary ideas, have an ability to assimilate knowledge quickly, and to transfer ideas from related disciplines. Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells (MOAC) is a four year degree programme (MSc + PhD) at the interface between Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Computing. Our aim is to provide our students with an insight into the problems and challenges in each of those fields, thereby gaining the communication skills to bridge the gap that exists between the individual disciplines. Research in the Life Sciences has changed radically within the last decade following the sequencing of the human and other important genomes. The availability of such abundant genomic data, together with the emerging microarray and proteomic data that stem from these resources, provides new and exciting opportunities to unravel complex biological phenomena in many different systems. The MOAC Doctoral Training Centre PhD students are trained to be intimately familiar with advanced mathematical and computational techniques and their use in data analysis, molecular modelling and experimental design. The graduates will also have a feel for the instrumentation technologies used for data collection and will be able to design and implement new instrumentation, new methodologies and new experiments. EXTERNAL LINKS The Centre forms part of a local, national and international network which connects with researchers many parts of the world. There are strong links with other EPSRC doctoral training centres and related research centres in Europe and elsewhere. RESEARCH INTERESTS www.warwick.ac.uk/go/moac/people MOAC conducts research in the following areas: Molecular Cell Biology Professor Colin Robinson (MOAC co-director): Research includes Protein transport across biological membranes; Composition and natures of Tat complexes in E.coli. Microbiology Dr David Whitworth: Molecular microbiology; signalling pathways of M.xanthus particularly two-component systems and the sophisticated behavioural responses they regulate. Structural Biology Professor Vilmos Fülöp: Structure and function of mammalian and bacterial enzymes using X-ray crystallography. Dr Corinne Smith: Cryo-electron microscopy and single particle analysis to investigate structure and mechanisms involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, fundamental to the health and development of the cell. Warwick HRI Dr Andrew Mead (leader of Warwick HRI Biometrics Training Programme, providing statistical and mathematical training for PhD students within HRI and MOAC): Analysis and modelling of the weed seed bank and herbicide resistance (with Andrea Grundy); developing sampling and decision-making protcols for supervised control of foliar pests of field crops, modelling the variability of the mushroom cropping process, modelling seed viability during storage and the analysis of phylogenetic variation in traits associated with mineral uptake. Dr James Lynn: Working with molecular biologists and geneticists, QTL analysis. Chemistry Dr Claudia Blindauer: Solution properties of metal-binding proteins such as metallothioneins and zinc fingers, particularly their structure, dynamics of metal uptake and release, and in their biomolecular interactions. Dr Ann Dixon: Membrane proteins associated with virally-induced cancers, which have demonstrated membrane protein-mediated mechanisms of cellular transformation. Dr Julie MacPherson: Application of Electrochemistry to the understanding of fundamental and practically important interfacial chemical processes at the micro to nanoscale. Professor Alison Rodger (MOAC Centre Director): Bioanalytical and biophysical chemistry, particularly ultraviolet spectroscopy and also control of DNA structure by synthetic metallobiomolecules, prokaryotic cell division proteins, membrane and fibrous proteins and carbon nanotubes. Professor Mark Rodger: Classical modelling with project areas ranging from asphaltenes, wax and corrosion to hydrates, bio-molecules through to materials. Research uses a range computational methods to study thermodynamic and structural properties as well as intense studies of growth mechanism. Professor Patrick Unwin: Development and application of new techniques to provide greater understanding of interfacial processes, spanning chemistry to its borders with biology, medicine and materials science. Dr Anna Whitworth: Use of Scanning Probe Microscopy and other physical chemistry techniques to probe processes occurring at biological surfaces and interfaces. Mathematics Dr Markus Kirkirlionis: Researches with Computational Biology group, devoted to research in Applied Mathematics, using mathematical network theory and scientific computing in the area of computational biology. Professor David Rand (co-director of MOAC): Mathematical modelling in the context of systems biology. Current research interests include: circadian clocks, statistical estimation of parameters and structure of regulatory networks, spatio-temporal patterning of flowers and timing of flowering, T cell activation and hyperbolic systems on surfaces. Dr Luca Sbano: Mathematical modelling in biological sciences. One current on-going research project open to PhD students looks at the disassembly of clathrin cages by Hsc70. Dr Hugo van den Berg: Elucidating relationships between immune response efficacy and the statistical distributions of T cell specificities among the naive repertoire and among T cell populations which repsond to given antigenic challenges. Also, endocrine control of macrochemical dynamics. Physics Dr Steven Brown: Solid-state NMR and structural and dynamic investigations, in particular hydrogen bonding and supramolecular systems. Dr Matthew Turner: Biological physics of membranes, molecular motors, DNA and sickle haemoglobin fibres, circadian rhythms and other genetic network and the broader area of neurophysics. See the MOAC website for full diversity of research interests. RESEARCH DEGREES Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells (MOAC) is a four year degree (MSc + PhD) at the interface between Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Computing. Our aim is to provide our students with an insight into the problems and challenges in each of those fields, thereby gaining the communication skills to bridge the gap that exists between the individual disciplines. TAUGHT COURSES MSc in Communicating Multidisciplinary Science Director: Professor Alison Rodger Full-time: 1 year Part-time: variable OBJECTIVES The aims of the course are: to give you an excellent learning environment in which to advance personal scholarship through the study of a diverse range of scientific disciplines with particular emphasis on scientific writing for different target audiences; to provide you with advanced knowledge in areas of science together with the ability to write coherently about these areas; to allow you to develop a broad range of key skills, transferable to a wide range of career destinations; to provide an excellent learning environment in which you can prepare for a career in research or scientific writing or education or science communication with particular emphasis on preparation for careers relating to science; to allow you to develop and demonstrate your capacity to communicate science concepts, results etc. and to interpret these; to give you the opportunity to contribute to emerging areas in cutting-edge scientific research with an emphasis on writing effectively about this. ENTRY SPECIFICATION You are usually expected to have at least an upper second class honours degree in a science subject. Overseas candidates will need to provide a certificate of English Language attainment (TOEFL or IELTS) where English is not their first language, plus degree transcripts. COURSE OUTLINE The course consists of: Three core modules (see below) on writing scientific articles and reports and effectively communicating these to different audiences. A research project, based in a university department from the Faculty of Science. A key part of the project will be training in how to report your results. A choice of five optional modules from more than 40 modules on offer from the Faculty of Science. Core modules Students not fluent in the use of scientific English will take CSW1, CSW2 and CSW3 as core modules. Students fluent in the use of scientific English will take CSW2, CSW3 and CSW4. Scientific English language skills (CSW1) Writing focused scientific articles and reports (CSW2) Writing extended scientific articles and reports (CSW3) Communicating science to different audiences (CSW4) Research project (CSW5) Optional modules You will complement your writing modules with a choice of 5 modules from Chemistry and Chemistry-related Master’s level courses. The choice will be tailored to your own career goals and will be agreed with your course leader. Introduction to cellular systems and biomolecules Data acquisition I: biophysical techniques and instrumentation design Data acquisition II: bioimaging Modelling and simulation: connecting data to molecular information Data handling bioinformatics and statistics Computation I: numerical methods Computation II: molecular modelling Electroanalytical analytical chemistry Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy Elemental and thermal analysis Chromatography Mass spectroscopy Contemporary synthesis Process and development A fine chemical product cradle to grave (Octel) Synthetic I (organic) Synthetic II (metallo-organic) Synthetic III (supra/macromolecular) Application of physical principle in medicine Brownian Motion Dynamical systems Hyperbolic geometry Mathematical recipes Representation theory Stochastic analysis Advanced PDE’s Foundations of scientific computing High performance scientific computing Computation PDE’s (numerics) Computer mathematics for engineers Signal processing Optical engineering and image processing Ultrasonic and biomedical instrumentation Micromechanics, precision design and analysis Computational fluid dynamics Turbulent flow Rotating flow Synthetic intelligence and intelligent software design Microsensors and Microsystems technology Optical communications systems Internet-enabled engineering instrumentation and measurement Remote sensing and data processing Systems and modelling Physiological and compartmental modelling Wireless communication Biomedical materials Biomedical signal analysis Population dynamics of infectious diseases Plant Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics BioScience, Politics and Social Acceptability Biometry: The Application of Statistics and Mathematics ASSESSMENT Modules are assessed both by formal examination and by assessment of practical work, essays, written work and problem solving. The project is assessed by a dissertation, and oral examination and an oral presentation. MSc in Chemistry with Scientific Writing Director: Professor Alison Rodger Full-time: One year Part-time: variable OBJECTIVES The course aims: to give you an excellent learning environment in which to advance personal scholarship through the study of chemistry with particular emphasis on scientific writing for different target audiences; to provide you with advanced knowledge in some areas of chemistry together with the ability to write coherently about these areas; to allow you to develop a broad range of key skills, transferable to a wide range of career destinations; to provide an excellent learning environment in which you can prepare for a career in research or scientific writing or education or science communication with particular emphasis on preparation for careers relating to chemistry; to allow you to develop and demonstrate your capacity to communicate science concepts, results etc. and to interpret these; to give you the opportunity to contribute to emerging areas in cutting-edge chemical research with an emphasis on writing effectively about this. ENTRY SPECIFICATION You are usually expected to have at least an upper second class honours degree in Chemistry. Overseas candidates will need to provide a certificate of English Language attainment (TOEFL or IELTS) where English is not their first language, plus degree transcripts. COURSE OUTLINE The course consists of: Three modules (see below) on writing scientific articles and reports and effectively communicating these to different audiences. A research project, based in Chemistry, on a wide variety of research topics covered by the Department of Chemistry. A key part of the project will be training in reporting your results. A choice of five modules from the 16 modules on offer from the Department of Chemistry to suit your interests. Core modules Students not fluent in the use of scientific English will take CSW1, CSW2 and CSW3 as core modules. Students fluent in the use of scientific English will take CSW 2, CSW 3 and CSW 4. Scientific English language skills (CSW1) Writing focused scientific articles and reports (CSW2) Writing extended scientific articles and reports (CSW3) Communicating science to different audiences (CSW4) Research project (CSW5) Optional modules Students will complement their writing modules with a choice of 5 modules from chemistry and chemistry-related Master’s level courses. The choice will be tailored to your own career goals and will be agreed with the course leader before the programme commences. Mass spectrometry Chromatography Electroanalytical chemistry Elemental analysis Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy Introduction to cellular systems Data Acquisition I: biophysical techniques and instrumental design Data Acquisition II: bioimaging and array technology Modelling and simulation: connecting data to molecular information Computation II: molecular modelling Contemporary synthesis Process and development (AZ) A fine chemical product cradle to grave (Octel) Synthetic I (organic) Synthetic II (metallo-organic) Synthetic III (supra/macromolecular) Introduction to chemical aspects of biological systems ASSESSMENT Modules are assessed both by formal examination and by assessment of practical work, essays, written work and problem solving. The project is assessed by a dissertation, and oral examination and an oral presentation. MSc in Mathematical Biology and Biophysical Chemistry (usually followed by a 3 year PhD research degree) Director: Professor Alison Rodger. Stipend: Eligible students may apply for full funding (fees and stipend) from the EPSRC via the university post graduate admissions process. Full-time: One year Part-time: variable OBJECTIVES Funded by the EPSRC, the MOAC (Molecular Organisation and Assembly) Docotoral training centre provides training for those aiming towards a career in cutting edge multi-disciplinary research, and offers PhD research projects that aim to bridge the gap between the life sciences, the physical sciences and mathematics. The MSc in Mathematical Biology and Biophysical Chemistry may be taken as a stand-alone degree to prepare students to work at the interface between disciplines. ENTRY SPECIFICATION Students with a first or upper second class degree in mathematics or physical sciences or biological sciences are invited to apply. A level or equivalent in mathematics and at least one of biology, chemistry, computing or physics and the motivation to develop research programmes across the scientific disciplines are essentia. Progression to the PhD programme requires an average of 60% to be achieved on both the taught modules and also the research projects. Overseas candidates will need to provide a certificate of English Language attainment (TOEFL or IELTS) where English is not their first language, plus degree transcripts. COURSE OUTLINE The course consists of: 3 research projects, based in experimental biology, experimental physical sciences and mathematics/computing. 8 modules from the 10 modules listed overleaf. Options: Subcellular structures: biomolecules and molecular biology Introduction to chemical aspects of biological systems Data acquisition I: Biophysical techniques and instrumentation design Data acquisition II: Biophysical techniques and instrumentation design Modelling and simulation: Connecting Data to Molecular Information Introductory bioinformatics Computation I: Numerical methods Computation II: Molecular modelling Networks and pathways in cells Advanced bioinformatics Mini projects Mini projects in: experimental biological sciences, experimental biophysical chemistry and mathematics or computing. ASSESSMENT Modules are assessed both by formal examination (usually oral) and by assessment of practical work, essays, written work and problem solving. The projects are assessed by a combination of dissertation, oral examination, oral presentations, poster.