Ion Channels and Disease

In the first year, you will be introduced to a wide range of scientific disciplines and techniques in a series of formal taught courses and laboratory rotations. During the first four months you will attend a series of specialist lectures and demonstrations that will provide an introduction to a range of multidisciplinary skills in integrative physiology.

• MSc in Neuroscience
• Wellcome Trust Doctoral Training Programme in Neuroscience
• DPhil in Structural Biology
• DPhil in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics

A unique aspect of the programme is the provision of extensive ‘hands-on’ practical experience in a wide range of experimental techniques. These include whole animal in vivo physiology, animal behaviour, immunohistochemistry, and electrophysiological recording techniques, as well as cutting-edge biochemical, biophysical, structural and computational methods for studying ion channels and membrane proteins. You will also be required to pass modules one to four of the Home Office Personal Licence.

From the second to fourth years, you will focus on your doctoral research project. A key feature of the OXION programme is that this must be a multidisciplinary project that involves more than one research group. Such joint projects not only help you develop independence and a wider range of skills, but also facilitate important collaborations between groups. The primary supervisor will be drawn from those working directly on ion channels or transporters but the choice of co-supervisor will depend on the nature of the project and techniques required. The list will be drawn from the wider Oxford biomedical research community and is therefore extensive. The final choice of both project and host research groups will be made by you in conjunction with the Organising Committee.

Your progress is monitored by the Programme Directors and you will be required to meet standard University milestones for progress involving formal monitoring via supervisor feedback forms submitted three times per year.