MSc in Genomic Approaches to Drug Discovery

Course description

This unique research-led masters course is for students who are fascinated by genomic technologies. You’ll be provided with practical laboratory training in drug screening and gene discovery, using the latest automated genomics techniques.

We’re home to the internationally renowned Sheffield RNAi Screening Facility (SRSF), which is kitted out with the same pioneering equipment that’s used by pharmaceutical companies around the world. During your studies, you’ll have the opportunity to work within the purpose-built SRSF and train to use technologies for drug screening, laboratory automation, cellular assays, imaging and processing.

You’ll learn how to use high-throughput machinery that you’ll find in industrial research facilities and develop skills in techniques including genome editing, 3D cell culture, robotics, and functional genomic screening. You’ll also discover how academic labs, as well as those in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries use these same cutting-edge techniques to identify candidates for potential therapies. We’ll then show you how to program a Hamilton Star liquid handling robot, used in many automation laboratories, as well as how to use and write algorithms for High Content Microscopy.

Practical training will be supported by theoretical sessions, teaching you about the latest techniques including T-cell therapies, antibodies, gene therapy, cell therapy, CRISPR, RNAi and clinical trials, so that you develop an appreciation of every step that’s involved in the academic and commercial drug discovery process.

The most substantial part of the course is the research project. You’ll spend three months working within the SRSF, honing your professional skills in the use of pharmacogenomics. You’ll choose your research area from a range of projects to match your future career aspirations. This could cover cancer drug screening, target identification, gene delivery or peptide therapy projects. You could even choose to do a project away from the SRSF in another lab within the School of Biosciences.

Example research projects include:

• Regulation or SARS-CoV-2 by the host cell protein palmitoylation machinery
• Investigation of novel botulinum molecules and their SNARE targets
• SAR-CoV-2 proteins that modulate cancer pathways
• New strategies for cancer drug development: protein-protein interaction inhibitors and inhibit theoretical cancer target Fen1
• An in vivo chemical screen for antagonists of an adhesion GPCR signalling pathway in zebrafish
• A novel pathway to therapeutically manipulate autophagy in cancer and neurodegeneration

This course will give you the practical experience you need for an exciting career in the field of drug discovery. Alongside your training, you’ll also get direct exposure to industry leaders from a wide range of companies. You’ll build your professional network and gain a deeper understanding of how pioneering techniques and equipment are used in practice.

Intercalation

We accept medical students who wish to intercalate their studies. Find out more on the Medical School website.

Modules

Core modules:

 

Literature Review and Research Proposal

3D Tissue Culture and Genome Editing

Ethics and Public Awareness of Science

Small Molecule and Functional Genomic Screening

Advanced Scientific Skills

Critical Analysis of Current Science

Research Project

 

 

 

Optional modules – two from:

 

The Biotech and Pharmaceutical Industry

Modelling Human Disease and Dysfunction

Genomic Approaches to Drug Discovery

 

The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it’s up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we’ll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.

Duration

1 year full-time

Assessment

Assessment is based on a combination of formal examinations, coursework assignments, debates, poster presentations and a dissertation.

Your career

You’ll be equipped with the specialist knowledge and transferable skills to pursue exciting careers in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries. Our graduates have secured roles as varied as working on Covid-19 vaccines and automating robots.

Previous students have secured graduate jobs at companies including AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Horizon, Novagen, NIHR Cambridge, and Cancer Research UK. 

If you choose to continue your research training, you’ll be ready to pursue a PhD. Previous students have been selected for PhDs at institutions such as Texas, Vienna, Montreal, Sheffield, Nottingham and Barcelona.