Program Overview

This course is a specialist and advanced, research-focused course for those with an interest in cancer and molecular diagnostics and its contribution to solving global challenges facing humanity.

You have the unique opportunity to participate in a research-intensive course, via a combination of taught modules and an in-depth research project, utilising the facilities of the National Horizons Centre (NHC). During the project you will be part of the research community at the NHC and participate in research activities including the SHLS and PGR Research Talks

The teaching team includes members of the bioscience research who are working on understanding diseases in humans and other species to translate this knowledge into ways to improve the outcome of patients.

We use state-of-the-art technology to address current clinical needs including understanding host-pathogen interactions, infectious diseases, bladder weakness, cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, respiratory and other important diseases in order to improve diagnosis, prognosis and treatment options.

Facilities within the National Horizons Centre enable you to engage with a range of advance and innovative research themes including:

• Comprehensive genomic, proteomic, metabolomics data acquisition, processing and modelling capability with internationally competitive instrumentation, software and technical support
• Studies of disease pathways including biomarker discovery, treatment monitoring, development of diagnostics and screening, supported by bioinformatics modelling and development of predictive models
• Biopharmaceutical research including product characterization, metabolism and drug interaction studies
• Protein structure/function studies including aggregation, modification, activation and inhibition
• Use of advanced cellular imaging capabilities, including live cell imaging, using light, confocal and Raman microscopy approaches incorporating fluorescence resonance energy transfer and fluorescence lifetime imaging. This will enable the study of, among other topics:
  • Molecular interactions
  • Conformational changes
  • Drug interactions with living cells
  • Tissue characterisation.