Cancer Biology and Therapeutics

Course description

The title of this course has changed for 2024 entry. In previous years, the title was Translational Oncology.

Lead academic: Dr Helen Bryant

This course connects the cancer research that scientists conduct in the lab with the treatments that oncology patients receive. It covers the fundamental science of cancer, clinical aspects of cancer diagnosis and treatment, the current and emerging technologies of cancer research and the process of translating scientific discoveries into new therapies in areas including immunotherapy and precision medicine. 6-months of the course are dedicated to the full-time research project which you will undertake within one of our world-leading research teams to develop valuable research skills.

The School of Medicine and Population Health provides a supportive and friendly environment which promotes high-quality teaching and research excellence to enable our students and researchers to tackle major healthcare challenges.

You will study the cellular and molecular biology that underpins the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells and how these can be exploited in precision medicine. In addition, you will learn about the broader epidemiology of cancer, gaining insight into cancer risks and disease patterns within the population to understand how and why cancer occurs. The tumour microenvironment and its potential for therapeutic targeting are examined in detail. You will learn how tumours grow, how cancer spreads, and how the cells that interact with cancer cells, such as immune cells, can influence tumour progression.

The process of clinical diagnosis and treating cancer is explored, from the perspective of researchers, clinicians and survivors of the disease. Topics range from the process of identifying potential pharmaceuticals to genetic screening and clinical trials. You will also learn about laboratory and clinical research methods and have the option to take either a bioinformatics course, to get experience working with complex biological data sets, or a Home Office licence course, so you can find out how in vivo experiments are carried out and regulated.

The University of Sheffield is a recognised centre of excellence and the Cancer Biology and Therapeutics programme is led by experienced cancer researchers and clinicians. The biggest part of the degree will be your six-month research project, where you will join one of our research teams to apply your knowledge, gain practical skills and build confidence within a research environment. You will also be encouraged to attend cancer-related seminars across the University with leading cancer researchers from around the world to learn about the latest developments in oncology and take part in broader professional skills training.