A doctoral training centre at the University of Warwick is reshaping how physical scientists and engineers are taught to tackle problems in biology. The centre, called MOAC (Molecular Organisation and Assembly in Cells), trains postgraduate students to apply physics and engineering tools—such as advanced microscopy, data modelling, and instrument design—to understand how large biological molecules assemble and function inside cells. This matters because many fundamental biological processes, from how cells divide to how diseases like Alzheimer’s develop, depend on the precise arrangement of proteins and other molecules. Traditional biology training rarely equips researchers with the quantitative skills needed to probe these structures. MOAC fills that gap by creating a multidisciplinary training model that can be transferred to other fields. If the centre succeeds, it will produce a steady pipeline of scientists who can design new instruments, analyse complex biological data, and collaborate across disciplines. The programme also requires each student to have an industrial mentor, offers placements in companies, and opens training modules to external scientists from industry. This could accelerate the translation of fundamental biological insights into practical tools for medical diagnostics, drug development, or biotechnology. The centre’s training model is designed to be adaptable to any discipline, potentially influencing how postgraduate education is structured across the UK.
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The central aim of the MOAC scientific remit is to harness relevant physical and engineering science capabilities in order to solve key problems within the life sciences. Building upon the core activities of the past 3 years (MOAC 1), which have resulted in an internationally recognised portfolio of expertise at Warwick, our focus for the future will be toward elucidating the structure and function of biomolecular assemblies. Strong emphasis will also be placed on the inherent challenges presented by instrument design and development with its associated data analysis and modelling.The new phase of MOAC (MOAC2), will benefit from and contribute to the flourishing and changing landscape of post graduate (PG) training at the University of Warwick (U W). MOACI catalysed the transformation of PG training at UW and MOAC2 will be the focal point for developing and disseminating a model that works for a wide range of multidisciplinary activities. Innovations for the future include the following.The transferable skills programme will be substantially enhanced and gain formal recognition as a compulsory 16CATS MSc module and a 60 CATS PG certificate.Networking and collaboration links with Warwick and non-Warwick DTCs will be reinforced through student ledscientific conferences and the new transferable skills programme.Industrial awareness and involvement for all students will be enhanced by each MOAC student having an industrial mentor; increasing emphasis on career options in multidisciplinary science; having more industrial placements; offering MOAC training modules to external scientists from industry.European dimension will be increased by formal accreditation of student MSc and PhD placements for taught modulesand research projects at: Chalmers University, Goteborg, Sweden; Trinity College, Dublin; and elsewhere.The international context of MOAC will be supported by an annual student-nominated highlight overseas lecturer.Engagement with the general public of MOAC and its wider community will be increased by the annual appointment ofa Media and Communications Fellow.The unique base of having 3 DTCs and an almost universal admiration of MOAC's PG training will be used to develop a complete PG training model that can be transferred to any discipline context.
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