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Postgraduate Study

7 courses offered in the Department of Medical Genetics

Since 2015, the Department of Medical Genetics has offered a taught provision in Genomic Medicine to address the challenge identified by Health Education England of delivering the 100,000 genomes project. The subsequent establishment of the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and continued use of Genomics England to provide whole genome sequencing has identified a further need to train graduates in genomic data science-related research skills. The MRes in Genomic Medicine is designed to address this national skills shortage. The MRes in Genomic Medicine allows students to complete a research focussed degree incorporating a large element of data science-related teaching to ensure postgraduates are equipped with the necessary skills to contribute to the evolving genomics sector in the UK.

Advances in genomic technologies have revolutionised the role of genetics in clinical medicine, and knowledge of genomics and its application to clinical medicine is becoming increasingly important for a wide range of healthcare professionals and research scientists. The MRes in Genomic Medicine allows students to undertake an extended research project alongside a shorter teaching programme to prepare students for either a PhD programme, employment, or career progression in a research or clinical laboratory.

The interaction between MRes students and full and part-time students from the Cambridge Genomic Medicine Programme enriches their educational experience beyond that of an MPhil by research and differentiates the MRes in Genomic Medicine from other programmes currently offered.

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The MPhil in Genomic Medicine is taught by the Department of Medical Genetics in partnership with Cambridge University Hospitals, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and European Bioinformatics Institute. Genomic technologies and information will transform practice across the clinical professions over the next decade. This MPhil in Genomic Medicine has been developed to provide a multi-disciplinary and multi-professional taught course in genomics that can be applied to clinical practice and medical research. The course will provide directly relevant professional training and research in the field of genomics, educating suitably-qualified applicants to prepare for the future adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of the diagnostic and treatment pathway.

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The MSt in Genomic Medicine is part of the suite of postgraduate courses in genomic medicine and designed to educate suitably qualified NHS healthcare professionals from across the multi-professional team to prepare for the future adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of the diagnostic and treatment pathway.

The programme has been developed by the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education and Cambridge University Hospitals in partnership with Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences, and EMBL- European Bioinformatics Institute.

This is a part-time course designed to fit with the demands of full-time employment. The course is delivered through face-to-face sessions requiring attendance in Cambridge and self-directed learning. Throughout the course, you will have access to a virtual learning environment [VLE].

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The Postgraduate Diploma in Genomic Medicine is part of the suite of postgraduate courses in genomic medicine and designed to educate suitably qualified NHS healthcare professionals from across the multi-professional team to prepare for the future adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of the diagnostic and treatment pathway.

The programme has been developed by the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education and Cambridge University Hospitals in partnership with Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences, and EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute. 

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The Postgraduate Certificate in Genomic Medicine is part of the suite of postgraduate courses in genomic medicine and designed to educate suitably qualified NHS healthcare professionals from across the multi-professional team to prepare for the future adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of the diagnostic and treatment pathway.

The programme has been developed by the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education and Cambridge University Hospitals in partnership with Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences, and EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute.

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The Department of Medical Genetics adopts a broad approach to ‘Medical Genetics’, encouraging interests in genomics and the functional biology of genetic disease, as well as applying genetics to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to disease. Ongoing research addresses a broad range of monogenic and multifactorial genetic disorders and some research programmes and clinical activities are run jointly with other departments at Addenbrooke’s and elsewhere. Research is predominantly in the areas of cancer genetics and the genetics of rare disease and developmental disorders. Specific areas of interest of principal investigators include inherited predisposition to breast, kidney, endocrine and multiple primary cancers, mutational signatures of cancer, renal genetics, autoimmune liver disease, disorders of genomic imprinting and genomics education. There is a good mix of principal investigators involved in both translational and basic research, allowing for diverse research projects. Projects typically involve a wider range of both computational and experimental techniques in a cross-disciplinary approach.

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The Department of Medical Genetics adopts a broad approach to ‘Medical Genetics’, encouraging interests in genomics and the functional biology of genetic disease, as well as applying genetics to diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to disease. Ongoing research addresses a broad range of monogenic and multifactorial genetic disorders and some research programmes and clinical activities are run jointly with other departments at Addenbrooke’s and elsewhere. Research is predominantly in the areas of cancer genetics and the genetics of rare disease and developmental disorders. Specific areas of interest of principal investigators include inherited predisposition to breast, kidney, endocrine and multiple primary cancers, mutational signatures of cancer, renal genetics, autoimmune liver disease, disorders of genomic imprinting and genomics education. There is a good mix of principal investigators involved in both translational and basic research, allowing for diverse research projects. Projects typically involve a wider range of both computational and experimental techniques in a cross-disciplinary approach.

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8 courses also advertised in the Department of Medical Genetics

From the Institute of Continuing Education

The MSt (flexible) in Genomic Medicine is only open to those who have successfully completed and passed the Postgraduate Diploma in Genomic Medicine at ICE

This is a 10 month, part-time Master’s-level course resulting in 60 FHEQ Level-7 credits and the University of Cambridge Masters award.

The course is part of the suite of postgraduate courses in genomic medicine designed to educate suitably qualified NHS healthcare professionals from across the multi-professional team to prepare for the future adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of the diagnostic and treatment pathway.

The programme has been developed by the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education and Cambridge University Hospitals in partnership with Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences, and EMBL- European Bioinformatics Institute.

This is a part-time course designed to fit with the demands of full-time employment. The course is delivered using blended learning methods through a combination of face-to-face sessions requiring attendance in Cambridge and synchronous online teaching sessions, self-directed learning and supported through a virtual learning environment [VLE].

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From the Institute of Continuing Education

This course is only open to those who have successfully completed and passed the Postgraduate Certificate in Genomic Medicine at ICE.

The PGDip (Flex) in Genomic Medicine is a continuation of the Postgraduate Certificate [PGCert] in Genomic Medicine and provides a progression route to the one-year Masters [MSt] in Genomic Medicine. It is a 9 month, part-time Master’s-level course resulting in 60 FHEQ Level-7 credits and the University of Cambridge award.

The course is part of the suite of postgraduate courses in genomic medicine and designed to educate suitably qualified NHS healthcare professionals from across the multi-professional team to prepare for the future adoption of genomic technologies and the increasing use of genomic information as part of the diagnostic and treatment pathway.

The programme has been developed by the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education and Cambridge University Hospitals in partnership with Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences, and EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute.

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From the Faculty of Clinical Medicine

We provide high-quality research training to clinical health professionals with an aptitude for research to enable them to become future leaders in medical and healthcare science. We offer training in an outstanding environment, spanning basic science, translational medicine, interdisciplinary, behavioural and applied health research.

We take great pride in our track record of successfully training health professionals to undertake the highest quality research across Cambridge and Norwich. We offer one of the most rewarding environments in which you could pursue your research training with world-leading researchers in The  Schools of Clinical Medicine and Biological Sciences at the Universities of Cambridge, Wellcome Sanger Institute and other MRC, Wellcome & Cancer Research UK funded Institutes, Centres & Units in the wider Cambridge area, as well as the School of Health Sciences and Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia with other partners on the Norwich Research Park.  The most important criteria we are looking for are the pursuit of research excellence, hard work and the will to make a difference to health.

The programme faculty provides mentoring and guidance on opportunities to undertake pre-doctoral research placements, enabling successful candidates to make an informed choice of PhD project and supervisor.  Bespoke training and support for career development for fellows, together with support to supervisors, ensures a successful research experience.  Post-doctorally, we will guide fellows based on their individual progress, to make the transition into higher research fellowships and clinical pathways, enabling ongoing training with continuance of research momentum.

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From the Faculty of Clinical Medicine

The MD degree is a doctorate, specific to the University of Cambridge, awarded to clinicians who undertake an extended period of scientific research into the science, art, or history of medicine.  It provides an opportunity for doctors to receive recognition of research achievement within an approved academic programme.

The MD programme, on a par academically with the PhD, spans a maximum of six years, allowing candidates to undertake their research alongside clinical or other responsibilities, at the end of which their thesis is examined by Viva. Any candidate working in a Cambridge University Health Partner institution will be assigned a University supervisor and will  become a registered student of the University and a member of one of the Colleges.  Any candidate intending to work at an institution outside Cambridge must already hold a Cambridge primary degree and must apply to take the MD by Special Regulations.

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From the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research

The Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR) is one of the leading research institutions in the UK. The Institute’s mission is to determine the molecular mechanisms of disease in order to advance human health, and the institute is founded on the principle of interdisciplinarity, leveraging extensive collaboration between basic and clinician scientists, outstanding core facilities and an inclusive, supportive working environment to tackle big problems.

CIMR’s ambitious Research Strategy is to generate a detailed understanding of cellular homeostasis across three main themes: protein folding and quality control, membrane trafficking and organelle biology. These pathways are fundamental to normal cellular function, so when they are altered by mutation they can lead to diseases that are rare, devastating, and frequently occur in the nervous system. Numerous infectious pathogens have also evolved to infect cells by exploiting and manipulating these pathways. CIMR therefore focuses on genetic and infectious disease areas where cellular homeostasis is altered, and which are frequently neglected and overlooked, meaning there is significant unmet patient need: rare genetic disease, neurological disease, and intracellular infection. There are 24 research groups working across these research themes at CIMR.

A three-year full-time PhD programme of research is offered under the individual supervision of principal investigators based in CIMR. This course can also be taken as a part-time option for over six years. The PhD students are based in a research group, supported by their primary supervisor, their postgraduate adviser, and the CIMR Postgraduate Education Committee. There is no taught and examined course work, but students can take part in core topic discussion sessions held once a week by PIs in CIMR.

Along with the specific research training provided in the laboratory in which the student works, he or she receives further training within the CIMR in the form of postgraduate workshops concentrating on research techniques, research seminars both on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and elsewhere in the University, and postgraduate student seminars dealing with generic skills such as intellectual property rights, writing a thesis or paper, and entrepreneurship. Students write a thesis, which is examined via an oral examination.

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From the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research

The Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR) is one of the leading research institutions in the UK. The Institute’s mission is to determine the molecular mechanisms of disease in order to advance human health, and the institute is founded on the principle of interdisciplinarity, leveraging extensive collaboration between basic and clinician scientists, outstanding core facilities and an inclusive, supportive working environment to tackle big problems.

CIMR’s ambitious Research Strategy is to generate a detailed understanding of cellular homeostasis across three main themes: protein folding and quality control, membrane trafficking and organelle biology. These pathways are fundamental to normal cellular function, so when they are altered by mutation they can lead to diseases that are rare, devastating, and frequently occur in the nervous system. Numerous infectious pathogens have also evolved to infect cells by exploiting and manipulating these pathways. CIMR, therefore, focuses on genetic and infectious disease areas where cellular homeostasis is altered, and which are frequently neglected and overlooked, meaning there is significant unmet patient need: rare genetic disease, neurological disease, and intracellular infection. There are 24 research groups working across these research themes at CIMR.

A one-year full-time MPhil programme of research is offered under the individual supervision of principal investigators based in CIMR. This course can also be taken as a part-time option over two years. During their MPhil, the students are based in a research group, supported by their primary supervisor and the CIMR Postgraduate Education Committee. There is no taught and examined coursework, but students are encouraged to attend research seminars at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and elsewhere in the University, and postgraduate student seminars dealing with generic skills such as intellectual property rights, writing a thesis or paper, and entrepreneurship. Students write a thesis, which is examined via an oral examination.

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From the Faculty of Clinical Medicine

The Cambridge Medical Research Council's Doctoral Training Programme will be offering five Industrial MRC CASE (iCASE) studentships for doctoral study, to start in October 2024, and these can be based in either the School of Clinical Medicine, or the School of Biological Sciences.

Each studentship is fully-funded for four years, to include a stipend, all course fees, plus a research training support grant. 

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From the Department of Medicine

This innovative programme was established in 2002 as a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US. Its aim is to train outstanding students in biomedical research, taking advantage of the excellent research environments in Cambridge and the US. Students work on collaborative projects organised by co-supervisors in Cambridge and the NIH, spending two years at each institution. Students have access to all NIH facilities and are paid by the NIH. The PhD is awarded by the University of Cambridge.

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Department Members


Professor Eamonn Maher
Head of Department

  • 12 Academic Staff
  • 45 Postdoctoral Researchers
  • 16 Graduate Students

http://medgen.medschl.cam.ac.uk/

Research Areas