Molecular Medicine: Biological And Biomedical Sciences in Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Molecular Medicine: Biological And Biomedical Sciences in Trinity College Dublin

Students who wish to study Molecular medicine apply to the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (TR060) and may select Molecular Medicine as their specialist area for the third and fourth years at the end of the second year. Our students can also avail of internships in various laboratories in the US.

What is Molecular Medicine?

Molecular medicine is the area of study that explores cutting edge advances in disease diagnosis, therapy and prevention driven by advanced bio-molecular research. The Molecular Medicine course shows how basic science is translated from ‘theory to treatment.’ Key areas of focus include cancer, neuroscience, genetic diseases, microbiology and immunology. It provides students with a unique perspective on modern-day molecular medicine and an appreciation for the importance of both basic and clinical research in drug discovery, molecular diagnostics and personalised medicine.

Molecular Medicine: The course for you?

Molecular Medicine is a unique collaboration between the School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) and the Dept. of Clinical Medicine, St. James’s Hospital. This is the right course for you if you have an interest in topics such as immunodeficiency, autoimmunity and inflammation, neuroscience, endocrinology, microbial diseases, molecular haematology and oncology, diagnostics and therapeutics, the cell cycle, and cancer.

Molecular Medicine at Trinity

TBSI is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and provides a rich research environment for interdisciplinary collaboration with colleagues in medicine, pharmacy, chemistry and neuroscience while the Dept. Of Clinical Medicine operates from St James’s Hospital and is affiliated with the teaching hospitals of Naas General Hospital and Our Lady’s Hospice. In the area of biotechnology and biomedical research, Trinity has prioritised the areas of Immunology and Infection, Cancer, Neuroscience and Genetics – all of which are key components of the Molecular Medicine degree. Immunology at Trinity is externally recognised as an area of major research strength and was recently ranked in the top three nations worldwide (Thomas Reuters, Essential Science Indicators database). In addition, the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity provides an excellent environment for young investigators to participate in innovative and high impact research. The schools research success is evident in their strong publication record which includes output in high quality journals including Nature.

In addition to highly engaging course material, students will gain experimental skills in a range of cutting edge techniques and technologies through practicals, internships in companies such as Ely Lily and 12 week laboratory research placements in the final year of the degree. The courses are designed to equip graduates to work in all major aspects of basic and translational research and focuses on development skills relevant to careers in molecular diagnostics and novel therapeutics, including immunotherapies and next generation biologics. The course content has relevance to both academia and the healthcare/pharmaceutical sector therefore former graduates have gone on to study medicine, engage in postgraduate research (PhD; M.Sc.), and pursue careers in industrial and government organisations. Opportunities also exist in hospital and commercial labs as well as in clinical biochemistry, biotechnology, food science, teaching, information systems, communications, and management.

Graduate skills and career opportunities

Many of our graduates take up a career in industrial, medical or academic research. Some work in hospitals and commercial laboratories dealing with biotechnology, food science, pharmaceuticals or diagnostics. In addition, because they benefit from their training in terms of critical thinking, analytical reasoning and presentation and communication skills, our graduates are in high demand in careers not directly related to biochemistry such as communications, information systems, teaching and management, accountancy.