Student Spotlight: Exploring Life at the Molecular Level
The MSc Molecular Cell Biology at Queen Mary attracts students who are curious about the inner workings of life, those who want to understand how cells function, communicate, and respond to their environment. For Julia, the programme offered the perfect opportunity to build on an undergraduate degree in Biology and dive deeper into the molecular world.
Firstly, what led you to study the MSc Molecular Cell Biology here at Queen Mary?
I studied Biology as my undergraduate degree at Queen Mary and chose to return for my MSc because of the excellent teaching and facilities. During my undergraduate studies, I enjoyed studying biology at the molecular and cellular level, which is why I chose the MSc Molecular Cell Biology programme.
What have been some of your highlights on your programme so far?
A highlight for me has been the advanced fluorescence microscopy workshop, which was a great chance to practically use a range of really cool microscopes that I had only read about in theory before. Another highlight was the expression and purification of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), followed by analysing our results using SDS-PAGE. I enjoyed trying to work out which proteins had been produced, and the bright green glow from the tubes was impressive too.
Could you tell us more about the microscopy workshop and what that involves?
The microscopy workshop provided skills for a range of advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques. We worked in small groups using epifluorescence, laser scanning confocal, and lattice structured illumination (SIM) microscopy to visualise biological samples that we had prepared, including airway basal stem cells and differentiated airway epithelium, as well as provided cyanobacteria samples. We also used total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) to visualise tubulin polymers. The academic staff were very supportive, providing guidance and expertise throughout.
Each day, we spent time learning how each technique worked and their applications before using the microscopes. This helped reinforce our knowledge and gave us more confidence when using the equipment. We used FIJI to analyse our collected images and presented our findings on individual posters.
In what ways has this workshop, and your programme more generally, prepared you for your future career or further academic pursuits?
The programme is very practical, and the microscopy workshop is an example of this, which has helped build confidence in using advanced laboratory techniques and wider research skills. Even if my future career is not directly in academic research, having a strong understanding of research skills and their application is still extremely valuable. Additionally, the programme provides opportunities to apply our understanding in different settings—for example, through lab reports, poster presentations, or statistical assignments. This exposure to different contexts helps develop a set of transferable skills relevant to future careers.
What are some of your favourite things about Queen Mary in general?
One of my favourite things about Queen Mary is the Careers and Enterprise team, who offer great opportunities. For example, I recently visited hVIVO in Canary Wharf, where we learned about human challenge trials and saw their clinical and laboratory facilities. This was a highlight for me as I learned so much and was able to network with professionals. Queen Mary itself has great spaces for independent and group study, and the research facilities are fantastic.
What advice would you give to a student thinking about applying for the MSc Molecular Cell Biology?
If you are interested in building on your practical and research skills in a research setting, then I would encourage you to apply. Even if you feel like you have limited practical experience, this programme is a supportive place to develop these skills and encourages curiosity and confidence.