Biomolecular chemistry and bioinformatics

An admission for international applicants to doctoral study at Faculty of Science, Masaryk University.

The study program Biomolecular chemistry and bioinformatics includes knowledge about the structure of biologically important bio(macro)molecules (proteins nucleic acids, oligosaccharides, etc.), and the relation between their structure and biological function. Students are trained in methods of carrying out and applying research on the 3-D structure and function of bio(macro)molecules. The technical facilities allow students regular use of the most modern methods, both experimental (nuclear magnetic resonance, x-ray diffraction, cryo-electron microscopy, methods in biomolecular interactions studies , methods of molecular biology) and computational (quantum chemistry, molecular mechanics and dynamics). Emphasis is placed on independent work by students in the context of implementing research projects, including the ability to communicate and present results in the English language. Students also learn to make use of information available in literature and electronic databases. The range of specialized lectures allows students to deepen their theoretical knowledge.

Study covers the following research areas:

Computational chemistry and chemoinformatics

Structural bioinformatics

Structural analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance, x-ray difraction and cryo-electron microscopy

Glycobiochemistry

Interaction of proteins with cell membrane

Structural virology

Structure and dynamics of nucleic acids

Structural biology of gene regulation

Non-coding genome

RNA quality control

Recombination and DNA repair

DNA sequence analysis

Next-generation sequencing

The program of studies is designed to be interdisciplinary, helping students learn to combine knowledge from various fields.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• independently and creatively design and conduct research activities and use methods and models in the field of biomolecular chemistry and bioinformatics
• prepare scientific articles and publish them in international scientific journals in the field of biomolecular chemistry and bioinformatics
• present research outcomes at international conferences in the field of biomolecular chemistry and bioinformatics
• understand and use theories and concepts in the field of biomolecular chemistry and bioinformatics
• understand and critically evaluate current research trends and development in the field of biomolecular chemistry and bioinformatics
• communicate scientific topics in English language
• use international cooperation experience
• provide students with expert guidance and supervision
• prepare competitive grant applications and conduct team research

The goal of the doctoral study programme is to prepare specialists at the highest level who will be not only specialists with detailed knowledge of certain techniques, but creative thinkers with a broad overview of the field of biomolecular chemistry and bioinformatics with good foundations in theory. Although the graduate will be qualified mainly for an academic career, he will also be a specialist capable of serving in the commercial sphere, especially in biochemical and pharmaceutical research, working with biologically-oriented databases, and in fields using advanced methods of computational chemistry and bioinformatics. As the experience of the past few years has shown, foreign contacts and study stays can help the graduate to find work at the top institutes abroad. Foreign contacts and study stays can help the graduate to find work at the top institutes abroad.

The dissertation must contain the results published or accepted for publication. At least one publication in peer-reviewed journal with impact factor (IF) above median in journal category where the student is the first author is required or at least 2 first authorship publications in journals with IF below median. The preferred form of dissertation is a set of publications or manuscripts accepted for publication dealing with the subject of dissertation, accompanied by a comprehensive introduction and commentary (section 31, paragraph 2 of MU Study and examination regulations). Formal requirements for dissertation are specified in Opatřením děkana Přírodovědecké fakulty č. 5/2012.