MSc by Research in Cancer

University of Leeds

A common feature of diseases is abnormal cellular behaviour, which is orchestrated by inter- and intra-cellular signalling pathways - how groups of molecules work together to control cell function. In the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, we work to understand how abnormal cell signalling underlies the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune conditions using a variety of experimental models. Some groups aim at 'seeing' the proteins and RNA molecules that mediate signalling in isolation to identify drugs that bind to them and turn them on and off using our world-class facilities. Others investigate normal and mutant proteins in their normal environment inside cells to understand how they lead to the abnormal behaviours. We are also home to researchers who analyse tissues from patients to translate the fundamental knowledge into action, whether that’s by aiding diagnosis and staging of diseases or by pioneering science that underpins better treatments.