Biological Sciences

Overview

Biological Sciences at the University of Chester is based around an innovative group of about 30 academic staff, research students and post-doctoral workers, committed to providing high-quality teaching and research.

The University of Chester welcomes students to undertake research towards MRes, MPhil and PhD research degrees in Biological Sciences. The Biological Sciences Department’s research is underpinned by a diverse range of staff research interests; this also provides exciting opportunities for study.

Several external bodies collaborate with the Department, including Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Veterinary Tissue Bank Ltd, and Chester Zoo. These connections are further enhanced by links with other regional and international universities.

Facilities 

The research facilities include four biochemistry/cell biology laboratories containing tissue culture and flow cytometry facilities, as well as UV-Vis, fluorescence and atomic emission spectroscopy facilities. In addition, we have a cell imaging (fluorescence microscopy) suite, a microbiology laboratory, a molecular biology lab with PCR and RT-qPCR instrumentation, a stem cell research laboratory and two newly built laboratories dedicated to conservation biology/genetics and animal behaviour and stress research.

All postgraduate students can take advantage of the Department’s structured supervisory network which ensures the student’s development is enhanced throughout their time studying at Chester. This is also strengthened by regular subject-specific and employability skills workshops as well as a research seminar programme.

Research Areas

The Department has three main areas of research that broadly encompass:

• Conservation Biology (of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that focuses on, man-made impacts, ecosystem modelling and conservation genetics)
• Animal Welfare and Behaviour (with emphasis on both animal stress / pain as well as their social structures and interactions)
• Molecular biology and biochemistry including molecular genetics, detection of biomarkers of disease, ecotoxicology and molecular histopathology.

Research interests across faculties include the Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration Research Group and the Food Nanotechnology Research Group, in collaboration with the Institutes of Medicine and Food Science & Innovation respectively.

We are always interested in considering applications from potential PhD students who wish to undertake research in our areas of expertise. Please view our individual staff profiles for further information or information on our research group pages.