Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine PhD / MPhil / MD
Regenerative Medicine is a multidisciplinary area of study covering stem cell biology, tissue engineering, bioengineering, chemical biology and gene therapy. This is a dynamic and growing area of research with the potential to advance diagnosis and treatment of disease, and improve the way patients are treated.
Why study with us?
Coming from a chemistry background I was initially worried about how well I would integrate into the ITM. However, the support from the ITM staff and students has been invaluable to my development.
Niamh McCallum - Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine PhD student
309
academic members of staff.
359
registered postgraduate research students.
Overview
A leading international centre for research into the fundamental principles of human physiology. We have recognised expertise in all aspects of modern physiology ranging from the regulation of gene expression to cell, tissue and whole organism biology.
This area of physiology research, utilises state-of-art technologies that enable non-invasive assessment of anatomy and function (MRI), protein expression and reporter gene expression (optical imaging), measurement of blood flow and vascularity (ultrasound) and renal function (photo-acoustic imaging). All have widespread applications for diagnostics and therapeutic interventions in neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, physiology, musculoskeletal biology and other relevant fields.
Research is undertaken within the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, an integral part of the Institute for Translational Medicine.
This interdisciplinary research area is dedicated to harnessing the curative potential of stem cells to improve human health, with the central aim to bring life changing stem cell therapies closer to reality. Research is undertaken within the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, an integral part of the Institute for Translational Medicine. Research spans from stem cell biology to tissue engineering to chemical biology with a focus on translational research. There are strong links to The Centre for Preclinical Imaging also within the Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, which provides expertise and infrastructure for non-invasive imaging in pre-clinical models. Linked to the UK Regenerative Medicine Platform. The UKRMP Safety and Efficacy Hub, led from Liverpool, is developing novel strategies for evaluating the safety and efficacy of regenerative medicine therapies, so that these important new medicines can be developed with full confidence.
Our research interests closely match our research themes.
Research themes
Research areas specifically focus on:
- Cellular and molecular based regenerative medicine therapies that can treat patients in the early stages of kidney disease, and help to prevent them from developing life threatening end stage kidney disease
- Developing more sensitive and specific methods to detect changes in chronic and acute liver disease earlier and to prevent irreversible liver failure
- Studying the intestinal epithelium to develop both cellular and molecular therapeutics that will stimulate the rapid regeneration of the intestinal epithelium, following intestinal barrier breakdown, as seen in inflammatory bowel disease
- Examining the enteric nervous system, for example researching potential treatments for Hirschsprung's disease, a condition resulting from the congenital absence of ENS ganglion cells in the gut.
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.
Research groups
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 |
| 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
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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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