Master of Research in Biomedical Sciences with a specialisation in Integrative Mammalian Biology (IMB) [Systems]

We are submitting under the heading 'in vivo skills'. However we will integrate the in vivo training with training in 'systems biology'. These studentships will also build capacity in skills for which there is demand within the pharmaceutical industry sector (see below and 'Case for Support'). The integration of integrative mammalian biology (IMB) in vivo skills with systems biology is a novel approach to research and as such, very few students are trained in both disciplines and so are ill-equip to embark on a PhD programme or research career that involves both systems biology and in vivo techniques. This Masters training will provide a new generation of young scientists that have these skills and will therefore be uniquely placed to either carry out a related PhD or obtain industrial research placements that will increasingly require researchers with these diverse skills. Letters of support from AstraZeneca and Pfizer are attached. Students will enrol in the well established Master of Research in Biomedical Sciences. See attached course document for details. Glasgow/Strathclyde Universities were one of four 'centres' to be awarded circa ¿ú3m to build capacity in Integrative Mammalian Biology (IMB) studies (Funded by BBSRC, MRC, Pfizer, AstraZeneca GlaxoSmithKline, SHEFC, HEFC, British Pharmacological Society; Prof M MacLean is PI and director of this initiative). The students will take the Master of Research in Biomedical Sciences with the specialisation in IMB which was set up as part of the IMB initiative and is tailor-made to meet the needs of students wishing to learn in vivo skills. http://www.gla.ac.uk/faculties/fbls/gs/masterscourses/mresinbiomedicalsciencesintegrativemammalianbiology/ They will carry out two projects that will integrate in vivo mammalian biology with systems biology and these will be supervised by established staff selected for excellence in research and training. Examples of just a few projects are given in the attachment 'Potential projects'. They will also attend a half-day seminar or workshop which will be provided by scientists from Pfizer to provide them with knowledge of the application of systems biology to drug development research (see attached letter of support). They will attend one of the two unique annual IMB-funded summer schools designed to educate students throughout the UK in basic in vivo skills (see under 'specific skills' for more details. We envisage that this Masters course will 'evolve' with advances in science and with demand. For example Pfizer will be consulted about the design of the course in line with developments in industry (see letter of support). Note: The staff selected for this application have been drawn from staff who supervise projects for the Master of Research in Biomedical Sciences (specialisation in Integrative Mammalian Biology (BS)) as well as systems biologists contributing to the BBSRC/EPSRC Doctoral Training Centre in Cell & Proteomic Technologies (CPT). The data provided under 'Course History' includes students enrolling into both these courses and the Course Information Documents for both courses are submitted as attachments. For clarity, in reference to 'Course History': In 2006 28 students started in BS, 7 in CPT; in 2007 30 started in BS, 7 in CPT; in 2008 36 started in BS, 5 in CPT.