Programme description

What you will gain from the MSc by Research in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair programme

Our programme is a one-year, full-time, on-campus MSc by Research programme (180 credits), structured around two research projects.

This MSc is designed to prepare you for a research career in academia or industry, whether you have recently completed an undergraduate degree or are a professional who wants to pursue a career in research.

The programme aims to expand your knowledge of stem cells, regenerative medicine and tissue repair concepts, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary and translational research that underpins this area of biomedicine.

The programme capitalises on the expertise of experienced group leaders who work across a range of disciplines and will teach key themes and principles in stem cell biology, developmental biology, regenerative medicine, inflammation research and tissue repair.

The programme includes two research projects in our world-renowned laboratories at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine or collaborating centres, as well as seminars, tutorials, workshops and interactive discussion groups, covering a range of research topics.

You will become a well-rounded researcher by learning a variety of practical biomedical research skills, data interpretation and statistical analysis, critical analysis of research paper, research project planning, and  writing and presentation skills.

Upon successful completion of the programme you will have gained a set of valuable transferable skills that will be beneficial in a wide range of  professional roles.

You will have a competitive advantage when applying for PhD studentships and research posts in academia and industry. The vast majority of our graduates and current students have been awarded competitive fully-funded PhD studentships at prestigious institutes around the world or are hired as researchers by biomedical research institutions and biotech in the UK and overseas (including DKFZ German Cancer Research Center; Bio Bit, Cambridge, UK; and the Nucleic Acid Therapy Accelerator, MRC/UKRI, UK).

Pathways of study

You can choose one of two pathways of study:

• Discovery Science pathway
• Clinical Development pathway

During both pathways you will receive training from experts working across the life cycle of cell and gene therapy development and production, ranging from discovery science and phase I/II clinical trials to manufacturing of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP).

If you choose the Discovery Science pathway, you will undertake both research projects in an academic research lab. If you choose the Clinical Development pathway, your second project will focus on real-life development and manufacturing scenarios for ATMPs to enhance your practical understanding of the cell and gene therapy production pipeline. Project examples for this pathway include working on the product journey from proof of concept to the GMP suite; product scalability; quality control of ATMPs; ethics; and ATMP manufacturing.

What current and past students have said about our MScR programme

Listen to Konstantina, a 2023 graduate of the programme, who talks about what it's like to be part of the programme and how it has helped her find a PhD to progress her research career in biomedicine in the Media Hopper video linked below. Konstantina is currently a PhD student in the Moris Lab at the Francis Crick Institute in London, UK. 

 

I am really enjoying the programme. I love having two projects as this allows me to explore the area of regenerative medicine and learn new techniques.

This programme is an excellent stepping stone to continue in academia with a PhD or go into industry.

Amanda Johnson

I really loved both the programme and the city.

I most appreciated how free I was to explore and follow my areas of interest on the programme and the lack of pressure to produce research for the sake of a grade or mark, which was a very welcomed departure from my undergraduate experience.

It speaks volumes of the quality of this programme that so many of us who wanted to, were able to find PhD positions.

Ingrid Tsang, MScR Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair 2019/2020. Currently a PhD student in the Jensen Lab, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

What I like about the research project is that you can develop the project yourself, putting in your ideas, talk to the group leaders and have two different big research projects.

The people at CRM, my experience in the lab, as well as Edinburgh as a whole have made me feel at home and really enjoy the Masters.

Miguel Robles Garcia, MScR Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Repair student 2019/2020. Currently a PhD student in the Blin Lab, University of Edinburgh, UK.

Advancing human health through tissue regeneration and repair

Regenerative Medicine is an interdisciplinary approach that seeks to repair or replace diseased and damaged cells to restore normal function. This biomedical field holds much promise to improve the health of patients suffering from a wide variety of diseases and conditions.

Successful advancement of tissue regeneration and repair relies on combining fundamental and translational research expertise in areas of regenerative medicine, developmental biology, stem cell biology and inflammation research.

Such a cross-disciplinary approach will underpin the development of novel cell- and drug-based therapies to stimulate repair of tissues damaged due to congenital conditions, trauma or disease. The aim of this MSc by Research programme is to train the next generation of experts in tissue regeneration and repair.

Our programme will deliver bespoke, well-rounded, cross-disciplinary training that will develop skilled researchers uniquely equipped to capitalise on regenerative medicine’s potential to advance human health.

The programme offers you the chance to study at Edinburgh Medical School

The programme is hosted at the Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR), part of Edinburgh Medical School. IRR is housed in the Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM), the Centre for Inflammation Research (CIR; within the Queen's Medical Research Institute). and the new Centre for Tissue Repair (CTR) building. IRR seeks to understand stem cell biology, inflammation and disease to develop new therapies to heal damaged tissues. The Institute brings together world-leading regenerative medicine and tissue repair research with established clinical excellence to deliver a "bench-to-bedside" approach to address the challenges posed by major diseases.

You will be taught by group leaders at CRM and CIR who work on topics ranging from fundamental stem cell and regenerative biology research to inflammation research and the understanding of disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Students on the programme are exposed to and encouraged to contribute to the Institute's drive to translate this knowledge into clinically relevant applications.

Research projects, tutorials and discussion groups will be hosted primarily at CRM (a purpose-built research environment at the heart of Edinburgh BioQuarter with a track record in training over 230 postgraduate students) and CIR, but in some instances at other appropriate University centres and collaborating organisations.

Our programme offers integrated and structured postgraduate training at Edinburgh Medical School, incorporating taught and research elements, to provide you with high-level training in theoretical and practical aspects of regenerative medicine and tissue repair. Combined with the Institute's scientific expertise, which ranges from basic developmental biology to clinical trials, we offer one of the strongest interdisciplinary research environments for training in regenerative medicine, stem cell biology and tissue repair currently available in the UK.

What our MSc by Research programme sets out to do