6 Studentships Starting October 2010
Application Deadline 8 Jan 2010.
Interviews to be held 25/26 January 2010.
Developmental Biology
Developmental Biology is a remarkably cross-disciplinary area of biomedical research that spans traditional departmental boundaries and many different technologies, such as
molecular biology,
genetics,
cell biology,
imaging and
bioinformatics.
This field is becoming increasingly significant as we enter the era of
whole genome sequencing, because functional studies of development are essential to decipher the roles of many genes, and will be invaluable if we are to reap the benefits of this wealth of new information.
Why Cambridge?
The
University of Cambridge is exceptional in the depth and diversity of its research in Developmental Biology, and has a dynamic and interactive research community that is ranked amongst the foremost in the world. By bringing together members of five different Departments and the
Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, this four year PhD programme will enable you to take advantage of the University's exceptional strength in this area. Choose from over 40 host laboratories and the whole range of experimental approaches and model organisms.
Programme Outline
During the first year students will:
- perform laboratory rotations in three different participating groups working on at least two different experimental organisms;
- learn fundamental aspects of Developmental Biology through a series of 13 teaching modules, and five experimental approaches sessions given by leaders in the field;
- learn a variety of techniques, such as advanced imaging and bioinformatics.
Students are expected to choose a laboratory for their thesis research by June 2011, and will then write a research proposal which will be assessed for an Masters degree.

Collaborating Institutions
- Department of Biochemistry
- Department of Genetics
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute
- Department of Zoology
Visit http://www.pdn.cam.ac.uk/phd/ for full details