School of Physics and Astronomy

MSc in Biophotonics

Essential Details

Next start date: October 2008

Application deadline: 31 July 2008

Duration: One year full-time

Structure: The programme has 120 taught credits and a 60-credit project. The taught component runs from October to April, and the project from May to September.

Entry requirements: A minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent in a physical, biological or engineering science.

Financial: A limited number of EPSRC studentships are availible to cover EU fees and possibly provide additional support.

How to apply: Click here for the University's application forms for Postgraduate Study.

Scheme co-ordinator: Dr Paola Borri

Admissions tutor: Professor Wolfgang Langbein, MscBiophotonics@cardiff.ac.uk

General Information

Cardiff's new MSc in Biophotonics is a unique programme offering innovative training at the interface between laser optics, cell biology and medicine. Whether you are an emerging researcher or plan a future in a biophotonics-related industry, we can provide the fundamental understanding and hands-on experience necessary for work in this rapidly developing field. This programme is jointly taught by expert scientists in the School of Physics and Astronomy and in the School of Biosciences using world-class research and teaching facilities.

If your background is in the life sciences – this course will guide you through the analytical approaches of the physical sciences and the fundamental principles behind cutting edge techniques such as confocal microscopy, opticac coherence tomography, surface plasmon resonance and optical probing with quantum dots. If your background is in the physical sciences – this course will guide you through the complexity of biological systems and the statistical approaches to handling large amounts of data. You will gain in-depth understanding of major biological areas such molecular cell biology, neuroscience, genetics and the most modern research techniques associated with it.

Much of the research in this field is inter-disciplinary in nature, drawing expertise from different areas across the life science, physical science and engineering disciplines. The course will cover a broad range of subject areas including advanced light microscopy, cell and tissue imaging, laser-based techniques, nanoparticles as optical bio-labels, biosensors, and medical applications. The programme will comprise introductory material in the autumn semester, giving both life and physical scientists the necessary tools for tackling the advanced modules in the spring semester covering the latest developments in this rapidly evolving area. Subject to satisfactory progress, students will be placed with an industrial collaborator or a university research group to undertake the project module of four months duration.

Course Description

The following list shows modules with their credit value and the semester in which they are offered:

• Research Techniques in Bioscience, 20 credits, Autumn.
• Mathematical Tools in Photonics and Biology, 20 credits, Autumn.
• Optics and Light Spectroscopy including Optical Properties of Biomolecules, 20 credits, Autumn.
• Modern Light Microscopy Techniques, 20 credits, Spring.
• Advanced Optical Bio-sensing Methods, 10 credits, Spring.
• Medical Biophotonics, 10 credits, Spring.
• Nanostructures and Optical Manipulation, 10 credits, Spring.
• Study Skills in Biophotonics, 10 credits, Autumn & Spring.
• MSc Biophotonics Project, 60 credits, May to September.

The advanced topics to be covered include:

• Contrast methods in light microscopy, Fluorescence microscopy, Optical coherence tomography, Scanning laser microscopy including Multiphoton, Raman and Near-field techniques.
• Label-free optical biosensors, including commercially available methods based on evanescent waves, e.g.  the surface plasmon resonance (SPR).
  
• Nanoparticle-labelled biosensors for immunosensing and nucleic acid detection.
• Fluorescent labelling and the mechanism of fluorescent resonant energy transfer (FRET).
• Manipulation of particles and cells by optical techniques (e.g. optical tweezers)
• Interaction of light with cells: Flow cytometry,  Fluorescence microscopy of the cell cycle, Optical signalling during drug interaction, Photo-activation of drugs, Molecular caging.
• Tissue engineering with light, Tissue ablation and Laser surgery, Optical techniques in drug discovery, Photo-dynamic therapies.
  
• Fluorophore development and functionality, Quantum dots for molecular tags
• Biochip platforms: Microlasers and microdetectors for lab-on-a-chip
• Single molecule detection by optical methods: Fluorescence, near-field optics, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

Research Projects

Students will be placed with an industrial collaborator or a university research group to undertake a research project of four months duration from May to September. Subjects will include:

• Multiphoton Laser Microscopy
• Cell and Tissue Imaging
• Optical Biosensors
• Quantum Dots as Bio-labels
• Optical Tweezers
• Ablation and Laser Surgery
• Photo-activation of Drugs
• Optical Bio-chip

Leica Student Award

The best student of each year will receive the Leica student award. It will be presented at the end of September and consists of a certificate and a high quality optical instrument from Leica.

Applications

The minimum entry requirement is a second class degree in either a biological or physical science or engineering. Applications from students in subjects such as physics, chemistry, material sciences, electrical engineering, biology, optometry, pharmacy are welcomed. You are encouraged to apply as early as possible. We expect to make final decisions on all applications in July preceding an October start. In the first instance, interested students can contact Dr Wolfgang Langbein - MscBiophotonics@cardiff.ac.uk (tel. +44 (0)29 208 70172). Formal applications should be send to the University Postgraduate Registry.

Funding

A limited number of EPSRC studentships are available for excellent candidates (UK/EU). Some will be fully-funded studentships (fees plus stipend); others will be fees-only awards.

UK and EU/Non-EU applicants capable of self-funding are also welcome to apply. For other funding opportunities see the related university web pages.

Career Prospects

Photonics techniques are increasingly important and applied in biological and medical research, as well as in healthcare as diagnostic tools and in treatment. This course will be relevant to a wide range of companies related with medical and biological instrumentation and pharmaceuticals. Students will be able to use the acquired skills to facilitate new developments in high-tech industrial companies or academic research environments.