Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
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| Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health | |
|---|---|
| Name | Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health |
| Established | 2016 |
| Parent | University of Manchester |
| Dean | Graham Lord |
| City | Manchester |
| Country | England, United Kingdom |
| Website | https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/ |
Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health. It is one of the three major faculties of the University of Manchester, formed in 2016 from the merger of the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences. The faculty represents one of the largest and most integrated groupings of its kind in Europe, uniting fundamental bioscience with clinical application and population health. Its mission is to advance understanding of life processes and disease to improve human health worldwide through pioneering research, education, and innovation.
History and formation
The faculty was created in 2016 as a strategic merger, bringing together the former Faculty of Life Sciences and the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences. This consolidation built upon a long history of medical and scientific excellence at the University of Manchester, including the legacies of its predecessor institutions, Victoria University of Manchester and the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. Key drivers for the formation included enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration between basic science and clinical research, mirroring the integrated structure of the National Health Service and major funders like the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The merger also aimed to streamline administration and create a powerful academic entity capable of competing on a global stage in fields like genomics, cancer research, and neuroscience.
Academic structure and divisions
The faculty is organised into three primary schools: the School of Biological Sciences, the School of Medical Sciences, and the School of Health Sciences. The School of Biological Sciences encompasses disciplines such as biochemistry, cell biology, ecology, and plant science. The School of Medical Sciences includes departments focused on cancer sciences, cardiovascular sciences, neuroscience, and infection, immunity and respiratory medicine. The School of Health Sciences covers areas including nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, optometry, psychology, and speech and language therapy. This tripartite structure is designed to foster synergy, with research institutes like the Manchester Cancer Research Centre and the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre operating across school boundaries.
Research and innovation
Research within the faculty is characterised by its scale and translational impact, addressing major challenges from infectious diseases to ageing. It hosts numerous pioneering research institutes, including the Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, the Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, and the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology. The faculty is a key partner in the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, a collaboration with Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and other NHS organisations. It secures substantial funding from bodies like the Medical Research Council, Cancer Research UK, and the British Heart Foundation. Notable research strengths include advanced materials for healthcare, precision medicine, mental health, and global health initiatives.
Education and programmes
The faculty offers a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, educating the next generation of scientists, clinicians, and healthcare professionals. Undergraduate degrees range from BSc programmes in biomedical sciences and microbiology to integrated Master of Pharmacy and Bachelor of Nursing courses. It provides professional training for medicine and dentistry, with the MBChB programme based at nearby teaching hospitals like Manchester Royal Infirmary and Salford Royal Hospital. Postgraduate offerings include MSc, MRes, and extensive PhD opportunities through doctoral training partnerships like the Wellcome Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
Facilities and campuses
The faculty's operations are spread across the University of Manchester's Oxford Road campus and several satellite locations, creating a dense biomedical precinct. Key facilities include the Core Technology Facility, housing advanced genomics and proteomics platforms, and the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology with its focus on industrial biotechnology. Teaching and clinical training are supported by the Stopford Building, the Jean McFarlane Building, and state-of-the-art clinical skills laboratories. Its research hospitals, notably Manchester Royal Infirmary and Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, are integral to its translational ecosystem, alongside specialist facilities like the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre.
Notable people and alumni
The faculty and its predecessor institutions have been associated with numerous distinguished scientists and Nobel laureates. Notable historical figures include Ernest Rutherford, who conducted his Nobel-winning research on radioactivity at the University of Manchester, and Archibald Hill, a Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine. Contemporary leaders include Nancy Rothwell, a physiologist and President and Vice-Chancellor of the university, and Graham Lord, the faculty's Vice-President and Dean. Alumni of note encompass Max Perutz, a Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist, and Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard, a Nobel laureate in Physiology or Medicine for her work on genetic control of embryonic development.