About the course

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Postgraduate research degree at the Institute of Biomedical and Bioscience Research (IBBR).

The Institute for Biomedical and Biosciences Research at The Faculty of Medicine and Health Science (the University of Buckingham) has developed a sufficient critical mass of researchers able to study diabetes and obesity from the gene through to whole-body physiology. They are internationally recognised experts in:

molecular genetics
biochemistry
pharmacology
nutrition and the physiology of metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes and obesity and neurodegenerative diseases.

Our goal is to define new molecular targets that could be sites for novel pharmacology and to examine a potential therapeutic agent acting from the cell to the whole body.

Undertaking a Masters by Research degree at the Institute for Biomedical and Biosciences Research can be for a range of reasons.

To gain additional laboratory skills in:
Human and animal cell physiology,
Molecular genetics,
Biochemistry,
Pharmacology,
Nutrition,
And the physiology of metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes and obesity and neurodegenerative diseases.

To gain important skills you’ll need to go on to study for a PhD:
Research papers interpretation and literature review
Data analysis, interpretation and discussion
Thesis writing training to defend your findings at your viva.
Also, opportunities to present your research data at national or international conferences, or to be published in peer scientific journal

Experience to work in a research environment with senior and junior researchers, post-docs, PhD and MSc students, and laboratory technicians,
Enhance your employment opportunities in academic and private research institutions, as well as in pharmaceutical industry

Our Master’s by research Programmes overview

You will be placed in one of our research labs to do a 12-month tailored research project. During this period, you will receive formal training in research-related skills. At the end of your research project, you are expected to write a thesis on your studies and to defend this in a viva examination.

Our research programme brings together expertise from across many subject areas in the biomedical sciences to provide you with training in several key areas of current research interest.

The programme focuses on experimental science and a research-informed dissertation. It will provide you with practical laboratory-based experience with access to specialist techniques in state-of-the-art facilities.

Our MSc by research projects:

Our team

Professor Mohamed Zaibi – The Institute for Biomedical and Biosciences Research
Dr Murad Kheder – Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Mr David Hislop – Laboratory Manager

View our students and their research areas +

See the important research of our current and past students:

Year 2025

Sachini (MSc) – “Potential protective effect of Pomegranate flowers extract against AAPH-induced oxidative stress in Neuroblastoma cells”.

Sunbal Khaliq (MSc) – “Investigation of potential beneficial effects of medicinal plant extracts on skin cells functionality”.

Year 2024

Nishshanka Fernando (Dilumi) (MSc) – “Beneficial effects of Leptadenia Hastata on metabolic health related to insulin sensitivity and adipose tissue expansion”.

Chad Sebaali (MSc) – “The mechanism of Low-grade inflammation of obese and diabetic adipose tissues as risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases”.

Year 2023

Salma Ilhami (visiting) (MSc) – “Investigating the Anti-Inflammatory and Oxidative Effects of L. hastata Extract on Neuroblastoma Cells, Implications for Neurodegenerative Disease”.

Melissa Chanez Bourrai (MSc) – “Investigating the potential beneficial effects of olive tree leaf extracts Oleuropein and Hydroxytyrosol on skin aging and functionality in human dermal fibroblasts”.

Julio Bessa (MSc) – “Links between obesity and the development of osteoarthritis: Impact of chamomile in Obesity-induced low-grade inflammation, as a natural treatment”.

Nidhi Nidhi (MSc) – “The Link Between Diabetes and the Integrity of Human Blood-Brain Barrier Cells & Retinal Cells: Potential Beneficial Effects of Olive tree-extract “Oleuropein” on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Related to High Glucose Levels”.

Gemma Margetts (PhD) – “Links between metabolic and neurodegenerative disease: Potential beneficial effects of natural products and the development of a novel method for the identification of active compounds and their target proteins”.

Mahsa Zendeh (MSc) – “Evaluation of Alginate Biopolymer as DBM (Demineralised Bone Matrix) Carrier on Osteoblast like SAOS-2 Cell for Cell Growth and Bone Induction – An In Vitro Cell Model Study”.

Year 2017

Hothri Ananyambica Moka (MSc) – “Visualising complex dataset: the impact of Thiazolidinediones on multiple tissues”.

Year 2016

Parvathy Elacode Harikumar (PhD) – “Pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis”.

Year 2014

Amgad Alhabian (PhD) – “Biochemical studies of cutaneous damage in mouse model of insulin resistance and obesity”.

Year 2013

Malgorzata Anna Kepczynska (PhD) – “The impact of Maternal over-nutrition and material obesity on the development of obesity in the offspring”.

Maysson AL-Haj Ibrahim (PhD) – “Topology based pathway Enrichment and Biomarker identification”.

Year 2012

Ravi Karan Sehgal (MSc) – “Expression of tether-containing UBX domain for GLUT-4 (TUG) within the rodent pancreas”.

Vinayak Pillai (MSc) – “Imaging the effect of diabetes therapies on the pancreas”.

Boago Didimalang (MSc) – “The effect of Phyto-cannabinoids on glucose-induced insulin secretion in the INS-1E insulin cell line”.

Year 2011

Punith Kempegowda (MSc) – “Comparison of HFX-020, a novel insulin sensitiser and rosiglitazone on metabolic status”.

Year 2010

Joanne Selway (PhD) – “GLP-1 and muscarinic receptor mediated activation of ERKi/2 in pancreatic β-cells”.

Year 2009

Avijit Guha Roy (MSc) – “Microarray Analysis: from Raw data to Biological Relevance”.

John Michael Rumberger (PhD) – “Nutritional regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes”.

Year 2008

Malgrozata Kepczynska (MSc) – “The Effect of knocking out the preprodynorphin gene on pancreatic islet morphology”.

Year 2006

Kelly Smith (PhD) – “Investigation of the role of Bombesin-like peptides and cannabinoids and their receptors in the regulation of energy balance”.

Robert A. Ngala (PhD) – “Regulation of glucose uptake in skeletal muscle by B-adrenoceptor against and antagonists and interaction with peroxisome proliferator -activated receptor α and δ”.

Year 2005

Jacqueline O’Dowd (PhD) – “Identification of genes that affect pancreatic beta cell function: influence of strain and pregnancy”.

Year 2002

Andrea Claire Haynes (PhD) – “Characterisation of the role of orexins and melanin- concentrating hormone in hypothalamic regulation of food consumption”.

Year 2001

Amuthakannan Subramanim (PhD) – “Evaluation of plant-derived treatments for type 2 diabetes and obesity”.

Anna L. Nolan (PhD) – “Studies on peptidergic modulation of insulin secretion”.

Year 2000

Jean- Charles Sanchez (PhD) – “New insights into type of diabetes by proteomic analysis”.

Year 1999

Nicholas M. Morton (PhD) – “An integrated view of pancreatic β-cell function: the effects of the melanocortin, β-cell tropin, glucagon-like peptide-1, interleukin-1β, and leptin”.

Year 1997

Samantha Pearson (PhD) – “Genetic and dietary model of insulin resistance: effects on tissue specific gene expression”.

Samuel Murray (PhD) – “Monoclonal antibodies in the diagnosis, staging, and therapy of Langerhans cell histiocytosis”.

Year 1993

Michelle Devenport (PhD) – “Aspects of the physiology and pathophysiology of the hormone β-cell tropin”.

Entry Requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a first or second class honours degree in biomedical science or related taught programme. Significant previous experience in a research laboratory would also be highly considered.

Mature students: age is no barrier to learning and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified students.

International students: We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.

The University is a UKVI Student Sponsor.

English levels

If English is not your first language, please check our postgraduate English language requirements. If your English levels don’t meet our minimum requirements, you may be interested in applying for our Pre-sessional English Language Foundation Programmes.

Selection process

Wherever possible, you will be invited to the University to meet the Admissions Tutor for an informal interview and to have a tour of our campus. If you are an international applicant, it may not be possible for you to visit in person, so the Admissions Tutor will conduct the interview by Microsoft Teams or phone.

Our Admissions Team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact them on +44 01280 820229 or by email FMHS-admissions@buckingham.ac.uk

For more information about the research topics please get in touch with Professor Mohamed Zaibi, by phone on +44(0)1280 820370, or by email: Mohamed.zaibi@buckingham.ac.uk

Student Contract for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the student contract between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the student contract in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the student contract contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the Student Contract.

Course fees

The fees for this course are:

Start	Type	1st Year	Total cost
Month Year Full-time (2 Years)	UK	£00,000	£00,000
Month Year Full-time (2 Years)	INT	£00,000	£00,000
Month Year Full-time (2 Years)	UK	£00,000	£00,000
Month Year Full-time (2 Years)	INT	£00,000	£00,000

The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI). If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.

Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and other ancillary charges. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.

Bench fees

Students are required to pay £5,000 in bench fees in addition to the course fees.

Postgraduate loan scheme

A system of postgraduate loans for Masters degrees in the UK is available with support from the UK Government. The loan is available for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. The loans can be used for tuition fees, living expenses or both.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We have bursaries and scholarships available for both home and international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and these are awarded based on location, merit or financial need.

Funded scholarships and bursaries may be awarded across all schools of study, and represent a partial remission from tuition fees. Bursaries are means-tested and are intended for those who need a contribution towards their fees in order to study at Buckingham.

Students applying for this course may be eligible for the following:

View all scholarships and bursaries.

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MSc by Research in Biomedical Science