Cell Engineering
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    Cell Engineering

    University of Glasgow
    University of Glasgow
    United Kingdom
    United Kingdom, Glasgow
    University Rank:#79
    Go to Official Website
    Duration4 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    GBP 44,837 / Year
    Next IntakeSeptember 19, 2026
    Cell Engineering

    About

    The Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment at Glasgow is a new entity (2018) arising from the merger of the Centre for Cell Engineering (CCE) and the Microenvironments for Medicine (MiMe). Our goal is to apply the knowledge gained from our research to address key issues affecting (stem) cell biology. Our research is centred on exploring how cells respond to their environment by changes in behaviour, differentiation, metabolism and various aspects of development. The Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment at Glasgow adopts an interdisciplinary approach across the School of Molecular Biosciences in the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences and the Bioengineering Group in the School of Engineering, which is part of the College of Science & Engineering. Cell-environment interactions, cell signalling, stem cell biology, cell, and protein structure and function at interfaces, bioengineering of gene regulation by microenvironments, nanoparticle technologies, synthetic biology to guide cell adhesion, cell sorting and translational approaches to take finding to clinical application. Research topics are allied to ongoing research within the Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment. Some projects are related to basic science and other projects are more focused on translational aspects of our research, but all projects integrate with our existing research themes. A variety of multidisciplinary research approaches are applied within these research programmes, including biomedical engineering, protein engineering, biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, polyomics (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics), biomaterials, bioinformatics and synthetic biology, as well as cellular imaging of biological functions. Specific areas of interest include:

  • bioengineering the microenvironment
  • engineering approaches to control gene expression
  • bio-engineered interfaces
  • biomaterials, scaffolds and 3D printing
  • protein structure and function
  • protein engineering and application
  • cell sorting and characterisation
  • stem cell maintenance and differentiation
  • nanoparticles for theranostics
    • Specific areas of application are:
  • bone repair
  • nerve repair
  • sourcing of rare cells
  • blood Brain Barrier
  • mesenchymal stem cell niche
  • haematopoietic stem cell niche
    • See Glasgow Biomaterials Seminar for an idea about recent and current projects. Our PhD programme provides excellent training in cutting edge technologies that will be applicable to career prospects in both academia and industry. Many of our graduates become postdoctoral research associates (Canada, USA, Europe and UK) while others go on to take up positions within industry either locally (e.g. Collagen Solutions, BioGelX) or overseas (e.g. Medtronic). We have strong national and international connections with many academic and industrial collaborators. Funds are available through the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences or the College of Science & Engineering (depending on primary alignment) to allow visits to international laboratories, or industry where part of your project can be carried out. This provides an excellent opportunity for networking and increasing your scientific knowledge and skill set.

    We are focused on fostering education and training in research to develop microenvironments to investigate and instruct cellular behaviour including, but not solely, stem cell differentiation. Our cell engineering research covers topics such as protein folding in the secretory pathway, regulation of membrane traffic, control of cell cycle, cytokinesis, compartmentalisation of cellular signalling and cell engineering.

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 60
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 90

    English Program Requirements

    For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

    International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

    • 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test
    • IELTS One Skill Retake accepted.

    Common equivalent English language qualifications accepted for entry to this programme:

    TOEFL (ibt, my best or athome)

    • 79; with Reading 13; Listening 12; Speaking 18;Writing 21
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements , this includes TOEFL mybest.

    Pearsons PTE Academic

    • 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

    Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

    • 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

    Oxford English Test

    • Oxford ELLT 7
    • R&L: OIDI level no less than 6 with Reading: 21-24 Listening: 15-17
    • W&S: OIDI level no less than 6

    Trinity College Tests

    Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests.

    University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

    Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

    Alternatives to English Language qualification

    • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
      • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have complete their degree in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years
    • Undergraduate 2+2 degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
      • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country and within the last 6 years

    For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

    Pre-sessional courses

    The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    44,837 / year
    Cell Engineering
    University of Glasgow
    University of Glasgow
    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom, Glasgow

    Go to Official Website