Structural Biophysics

Structural Biophysics programme offered at Cardiff University is a research area in which you can focus your studies within our PhD programme in Vision Sciences.

Distinctive features of the Structural Biophysics degree from Cardiff University

• International centre of excellence for structural and biophysical studies of the cornea and lens and their components, including collagen and fibrillin.

• Responsible for a number of discoveries that have had an impact in both the scientific and the lay communities, receiving press and TV coverage.

• Supported by grants from the MRC, EPSRC, BBSRC, Wellcome Trust, Royal Society and several other industrial and charitable sources.

Key Facts

A PhD by research at the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences is based around a specific, well-defined research topic.

All students have regular meetings with their supervisory team, as well as an advisor who is not directly involved with the project, and is able to objectively monitor the progress of the research, and to provide independent guidance.

In addition to the core research topic, the School provides a diverse programme of transferrable skills training, which complements the Doctoral Academy Programme.

Research themes:

• Understanding corneal transparency and the structural causes of its loss

• The role of proteoglycans in the development of corneal transparency

• The ultrastructure of the cornea and limbus in relation to corneal shape and function

• Collagen and fibrillin in ocular tissues

• Structure function relationships in zonular filaments

• Extraocular muscles

• Ultrastructural changes in pathological corneas