Biochemistry: molecular mechanisms of cancer

This research programme enables the students to progress their understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology to an advanced level and to contribute to the progression of research in this specialist field.

The practical laboratory skills the students develop on this programme will be vital to their study and transferable to research roles in industry. A structured programme of training enables the students to enhance theirs abilities in scientific writing, critical thinking, experimental design and quantitative research methods.

Our department offers in-depth coursework and diverse research opportunities that focus on understanding the biochemical mechanisms of life’s critical molecular processes.

Research in our laboratories exposes our students to a variety of the latest methods for sophisticated biochemical analysis, including mass spectrometry, microcalorimetry, microarrays, fluorescence activated cell sorting, light scattering, and spectroscopic methods, as well as modern methods for cell culture, protein purification, and reconstitution of biochemical complexes and reactions.

The flexibility of our training program allows students to train in a number of exciting research areas, and often allows students to develop highly effective interdisciplinary collaborations, resulting in cutting edge thesis projects.


Medical enzymology

History of medical enzymology. Aims and objectives of the medical enzymology, assessment of the experimental results. Using medical enzymology for cancer treatment. Role of the medical enzymology in the diagnostics. Diseases of the carbohydrate metabolism. Artificial sweeteners. Polyamines as a therapeutic target. Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense system. Cell redox potential in health and disease. Role of glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes in the formation of drug resistance of tumor cells. Role of the redox potential in tumor cell death.