The fields of biology and medicine are experiencing what can only be called a true renaissance within the molecular biosciences. Collectively the scientific community as access to a rapidly expanding set of tools that provide enormous experimental opportunities to advance the understanding of biological processes of increasing complexity.

The human genome is fully sequenced, and so has the complete genomes of a growing number of other life forms. Although the process of fully decoding the function of the many and diverse sets of genetic elements within these DNA sequences is far from complete, the tools already exist that enable the precise manipulation of genetic material within most living cells. These advances, the fruits of more than a century of scientific enterprise, belong to one of mankind’s greatest achievements. Indeed, these are exciting times to be working as an experimental research scientist in biology.

One aim of the Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute (MBW) is to recruit and train talented students to become independent scientists and teachers to meet future challenges in society. The research education program at MBW is designed to provide students with the necessary scientific knowledge and laboratory skills to enable them to pursue important state-of-the-art problems in molecular biosciences, including infection- and immunobiology, integrative biology and molecular cell biology.

The program seeks to stimulate the curiosity and originality of individual students, at the same time instilling an appreciation of the methodical process of experiment. Ultimately, the program seeks to equip students with a solid foundation for a continued and life-long exploration of complex biological systems.