Research themes

To build cross-institutional and cross-year group networks, there are three research themes.

The research themes are each led by an academic Research Theme Champion from across the partnership. These ‘champions’ will help to organise theme-specific activities (such as site visits, workshops, symposiums, virtual journal clubs), to educate students working in similar research areas about current methods and challenges within these fields.

The three research themes are as follows:


Agriculture & Environmental Biosciences

Focus areas:

  • Plant & Microbial Systems & Models
  • Animal Behaviour & Welfare
  • Environmental Stress Adaptation

Research theme webpage >>


Engineering Biology

Focus areas:

  • Protein Engineering & Functional Biomolecular Systems
  • Biophysics, Nanotech & Biosensors
  • Antimicrobial & Therapeutic Innovation

Research theme webpage >>


Molecular Mechanisms & Pathways

Focus areas:

  • Advanced Cell & Tissue Models
  • Physiological Systems & Neuroscience
  • Molecular & Genetic Pathways

Research theme webpage >>