Cell Biology PhD / MPhil / MD
Cell biology encompasses research of the cell and its organelles' structural and functional roles, physiology, signalling, cell stress, cell communications, and its applications to the diagnosis and therapy of disease. We integrate expertise in cell biology, structural biology, signalling and the use of model organisms.
Why study with us?
309
academic members of staff.
359
postgraduate research students.
Overview
We're a leading international centre for research into the fundamental principles of human physiology, with expertise in all aspects of modern physiology.
Our experimental approaches involve biochemical, behavioural, electrophysiological, molecular, structural and state-of art imaging (such as multiphoton confocal, spinning disk, light sheet and 3D electron microscopy) applied to mammalian cell systems and also to model organisms such as Caenorhabdities elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Dictyostelium.
Our exciting and dynamic research environment benefits from increasing collaboration with academic clinicians looking for cell-based and cell targeted therapies.
Research interests focus on:
- Neuronal cell and synaptic biology, including developmental cell biology and how neuronal intracellular signals are translated into physiological responses
- Role of cellular chaperone proteins in protection from damaging challenges and biological stresses
- Role of key cell signalling pathways (e.g. NFKappaB, Wnt, Erk1/2, AKT etc.) and intracellular messengers (calcium, IP3, cAMP etc.) in health and disease
- Calcium signalling in health and disease, including current focus on the role of calcium signalling, mitochondrial function and bioenergetics in pancreatitis and regulated secretion.
- Cell cycle control/ regulation
- Stem cell biology
- Cell biology of inflammation and infection
- Systems physiology, including the cancer microenvironment, gastric cell physiology. Also Immune and cancer cell invasion biology
- Development of fundamental model systems that can be used for understanding cell responses, damage/stress, cell-cell and cell-matrix communications
- Cell receptor dynamics, endosome trafficking and vesicular transport
- Autophagy and phagocytosis
- Smooth muscle cell physiology, with research in reproductive physiology, ureteric microvessels and respiratory tract.
Research themes
Research may cover any aspect of life sciences and biomedicine, including:
- Cell biology
- Biochemistry
- Biophysics
- Molecular biology and genetics
- Stem cell research
- Regenerative medicine
- Infection and immunology
- Systems physiology approaches
- Translational medicine.
Training
PhD students can take taught modules - on either a formal basis with exams taken and a record of completion generated or less formally. Commonly, students use the opportunity to upskill in areas like bioinformatics and statistics, but modules on defined areas of biology are also available. A wide variety of further development opportunities are available from the PGR Development Hub.
Facilities
The research infrastructure of the Institute of Translational Medicine is designed to give researchers access to world class facilities in the best possible environment.
Our centres, facilities and resources give us the ability to drive biomedical research from patient samples to the laboratory bench and vice versa from newly generated drug compounds into clinical trials. They provide powerful, productive collaborations between experts within the University and organisations worldwide.
- Biomedical Imaging
- Centre for Antimicrobial Pharmacodynamics
- Centre for Drug Safety Science
- Health Data Science Network
- Centre for Preclinical Imaging
- Clinical Trials Research Centre
- Harris-Wellbeing Preterm Birth Research Centre
- Liverpool Bio-Innovation Hub (LBIH) Biobank
- Liverpool Cancer Trials Unit
- MRC North West Hub for Trials Methodology Research
- North West Cancer Research Centre – University of Liverpool
- Pancreas Biomedical Research Unit
- UK Experimental Arthritis Treatment Centre for Children
- Wolfson Centre for Personalised Medicine.
Postgraduate researchers also benefit from flexible access to world-class equipment and expertise through the Shared Research Facilities provided by The Technology Directorate.
Research groups
- Gastroenterology Research Unit
- Neuronal Signalling Group
- Regenerative Medicine Network
- Safety and Efficacy Hub
Study options and fees
The fees below reflect one year of study during the 2024/25 academic year
| MPhil / PhD / MD | Duration | UK students | International Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 2-4 years | £4,786 |
|
| Part time | 4-6 years | £2,393 |
|
The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.
* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.
^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.
Entry requirements
Applicants for postgraduate research study at Liverpool are normally expected to hold a UK first degree with a First Class or Upper Second Class degree classification, or a Second Class degree plus a Master’s degree. Equivalent international qualifications are also accepted, and their equivalence will be evaluated on the basis of the information provided by the National Academic Recognition and Information Centre (NARIC) as well as internal guidance based on our experience of a qualification’s suitability as a preparation for our programmes.
English language requirements
| IELTS Academic requirement - SELT and non-SELT | Overall 6.5 no band below 5.5 |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT requirement | Minimum 88 overall with L 17 W 17 R 17 and S 19 |
| C1 Advanced CAE requirement | Overall 176 with no less than 162 in any paper |
| PTE Academic requirement | 61 with minimum scores of 59 in each component |
| Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE II) | ISE II with an overall pass with merit in components |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a First Language | Grade C |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a Second Language | Grade B |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Proficiency) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
How to apply
Research degree applications can be made online. You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.
Applications are open all year round.
More about applying for research degrees
Before you apply, we recommend that you identify a supervisor and develop a research proposal
Find a supervisor
View supervisors in this area
Need help finding a supervisor? Contact us
- ISMIB PGR Administrator
- Email: ismibpgradmin@liverpool.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)151 794 5455
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