Biological Chemistry

Overview

The School of Chemistry in The University of Manchester is internationally competitive across a broad range of topics at the chemistry-biology interface. Biocatalysis uses natural catalysts, such as enzymes, to carry out chemical transformations. Biosynthesis is the production of complex compounds in living organisms. 

Synthetic biology creates biological devices for useful purposes. Metabolomics and Proteomics are the study of chemical processes involving metabolites in cells, and of the structure and function of proteins, respectively. Computational modelling and simulation over a range of scales provides fundamental information about biomolecules. 

Research in chemical biology helps improve Life and Health, enhances Sustainability and provides solutions to problems related to Energy and Environment.

Many of the investigators in chemical biology are located in the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology (MIB), which provides state-of-the art facilities and an excellent environment for interdisciplinary research collaborations with investigators in other Schools and Faculties. 

Research is enhanced by centres of excellence such as the Manchester Centre for Integrative Systems Biology (MCFSB), the Michael Barber Centre for Mass Spectrometry (MBCMS), the Centre for Chemical Intervention in Biology and Medicine (CCIBM)and the Centre of Excellence for Biocatalysis, Biotransformations and Biocatalytic Manufacture (CoEBio3), the latter in particular involving strong interactions with industry.

Career opportunities

The Biological Chemistry programmes we offer place our graduates in the best position to enhance their career prospects.  Many of our Masters students progress to PhD study.  A number of our PhD graduates have taken up postdoctoral research positions in the UK or overseas, where as others have chosen a career in academia or move into industry such as GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, NNL.  The nature of our degrees provides graduates with transferrable and specific skills needed for different careers.