Biochemistry is a broad subject and can include a diverse range of research interests relating to the Chemistry of Life. Within the Biochemistry Department at the University of Leicester research is focussed on three main areas:

Cell Regulation and Signalling – many people in the Department are interested in how cells work normally and what is happening when they go wrong and, for example, become cancerous. Research in this area includes study of the way chromosomes are accurately shared between cells when they divide and the way that cells respond to outside signals such as hormones. The Department has a state-of-the art fluorescence microscopy imaging facility which can be used to study the movement of molecules within cells.

Gene expression – Correct processing of DNA and the RNA that it encodes is obviously vital in the maintenance of life. People within the Department are researching control of transcription (that is the decoding of DNA to produce RNA) and the ways that the RNA is then processed before and during translation of the code to produce protein. A lot of diseases such as leukaemia, diabetes and muscular dystrophy can be due to things going wrong with these basic processes.

Structural Biology & Molecular Enzymology – the Department is equipped with both X-ray crystallography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy facilities for looking in great detail at the structure of biological molecules. There is also a whole range of weird and wonderful equipment for rapidly changing conditions of reactions (e.g. temperature, pressure) in order to study exactly how enzymes work. A wide variety of proteins, including some involved in tuberculosis and in drug metabolism are being studied in this way.
 
Research in all of these areas is supplemented by strong collaborations with colleagues in other Departments, particularly Genetics, Cell Physiology & Pharmacology and Infection, Immunity & Inflammation.

Since January 2005, the Biochemistry Department has moved into the brand new Henry Wellcome building. If you choose to do your final year project from the options offered by the Department, you will be working in a lab with the very latest facilities.
           

Teaching Quality

Teams of subject specialist reviewers from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) visited all Medical Schools and Biological Sciences Departments in England in 1999/2000 to assess the quality of their teaching. Teaching across the Faculty of Medicine and Biological Sciences was rated as excellent with the Medical School and Biological Sciences being awarded 23 and 22 out of a maximum of 24, respectively.  Since then the format of University inspections has changed.  The most recent evaluation of our teaching activity was undertaken in the Spring of 2006 and the School of Biological Sciences received high praise.  Our commitment to teaching is indicated by the award of several University Teaching Fellowships to members of the School and one member of the Biochemistry staff has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship.  In 2005, Biological Sciences at Leicester received a further boost when it was chosen to host GENIE, a Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, with particular emphasis on Genetics.

The most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2001) graded all University of Leicester Biological Sciences Departments (including Biochemistry) as at least Grade 5, with Genetics receiving a maximum mark of 5*. Another survey for the Guardian newspaper put the University of Leicester Biological Sciences Departments (including Biochemistry) in the top ten UK Universities for the quality and quantity of their research output.

Student Support

When you come to study at Leicester you will be allocated a Personal Tutor from within the Department of Biochemistry. You will meet with your tutor at several set times in the year (e.g. to help you choose your modules for years 2 and 3) but they are also there to help you with any other difficulties you may face, whether involving anything from your studies, your health or even difficulties with a dodgy landlord. The University centrally has an excellent Student Support and Development Service which includes careers advisors, welfare services and help with your study skills. Third year students are also offered career advice by a member of staff in the Department.

A staff-student committee meets five times a year to formally raise any difficulties, but staff are always very approachable for individual queries.