Department of Biochemistry

WHY STUDY BIOCHEMISTRY?

Biochemistry deals with the way living organisms function at the molecular level. The vast increase in knowledge in this area of science and the genomics, proteomics and computing revolutions mean that biochemistry will be a decisive area of knowledge in the 21st century. The fundamental new findings in this area of science will have a far-reaching impact on healthcare, the control of environmental hazards and on life as a whole and offers much potential for the creation of new, challenging jobs.

WHY STUDY BIOCHEMISTRY AT KING'S?

Biochemistry is at the heart of the rapid and exciting advances in biomedical science over the past 60 years. The biochemistry programme at King's will provide you with the opportunity to gain a complete understanding of key aspects of the molecular basis of life and how it is currently investigated. King's played a key role in the birth of biochemistry, when Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins used X-ray analysis to demonstrate the double helix structure of DNA. Today their heirs in the Department of Biochemistry are leading research in a rich variety of areas, from structural studies of biomolecular function to understanding how tissues develop, function and respond to infection, ageing or environmental toxins.

Therapeutic development is a particular focus; we have world-leading groups in developing stem cell therapy and drug delivery. Our expertise spans the full range of systems, with particular expertise in muscle and gut biology, cell signalling, neurobiology and neurodegeneration. Our programme is carefully structured to provide you with a fundamental understanding of the science in the first two years before allowing you to select specialised topics at the forefront of current knowledge in the third year.