This programme provides excellent postgraduate training, addressing the need for trained scientists in strategically-important research areas and skills. The programme has four separate research themes addressing the strategic research priorities of BBSRC: Bioscience for Health; Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy; Agriculture and Food Security and World-Class Underpinning Bioscience. The research topics included in the Cambridge DTP are aimed at improving understanding of basic biological mechanisms, from the study of biological molecules, to cellular and physiological processes, including genetic and genomic approaches. There is an emphasis on multidisciplinary research interfacing with physical sciences and engineering, and the opportunity to use mathematical and computational methodologies to addressing biological questions. A major goal of our training programme is to allow the flow of ideas, skills and key capabilities to provide mutual benefit in supporting the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries in the UK. The Programme is four years in duration and is studied on a full-time basis. The first 6 months is spent completing training in Statistics, Computational and Systems Biology, and Research Skills (Exploiting New Ways of Working) and undertaking two 10-week rotation projects, either at the University or at one of the partner organisations. The remainder of the four years are spent completing a research project for the award of PhD. Students will also undertake further research skills training and subject specific training during Years 2-4 of the programme, and spend 3 months undertaking a Professional Internship for PhD Students (PIPS). Students will be expected to submit their thesis at the end of the fourth year and no further write up period will be allowed.