Course details

Revolutionise your summer with our two-week mini-research laboratory project with guest lectures, enabling you to explore cutting-edge research, technology and the future of biomedicine. 

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Two smiling female students on the academic programme of the Revolutions in Biomedicine Summer School

Taught themes

The style of the Summer School is interactive, and you can expect to work in partnership with the course tutors and other students.

Three students and an academic participating in a mini research project in the laboratory

Mini-research project

Our immune system consists of organs, cells and molecules that provide us with a remarkable defence system against all kinds of pathogens. Some cells of the immune system protect us against viruses. These cells can directly kill virally infected cells, but they can also survive in our body for our whole life to protect us against the same virus as many times as required.  

In the Mini-research project, you will work in small groups to design your own experimental plans. In a supervised lab environment, you will then stimulate immune cells under your chosen experimental conditions, measure the results of the stimulation quantitatively and qualitatively, analyse your data, and discuss your lab report with the course team. You will get hands-on experience in experimental design and statistics, cell culture, protein extraction, ELISA, and flow cytometry.

A group of summer school students in a lecture

Guest speakers and networking events

In addition to the main course there will be a series of weekly guest lectures from leaders in their fields. You will have the opportunity to ask your own questions and to network with these renowned academics at a drinks reception afterwards. 

You will also have the opportunity to reflect on your future in bioscience at our Revolutions in Biomedicine Career Event, where you can speak to Imperial's Career Service and our current Masters and PhD students. ‌

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A male student on the academic programme of the Revolutions in Biomedicine Summer School

Assessment

The course carries 7.5 ECTS credits (3-4 US), subject to your home institution approval. 

In order to gain academic credit, students must attend a minimum of 80% of the course and gain an aggregate score of at least 40% in the following assessments:

  • Lab project report, presentation and peer marking.

The assessment is optional.

Typical day

Classes take place Monday to Friday. The timetable will be:

  • 10.00-12.30 Morning session
  • 12.30-13.30 Lunch break
  • 13.30-16.00 Afternoon session
  • Evening - Free time, social activities or guest lecture
A group photo taken after a guest speakers lecture

Attend guest lectures to hear from the leaders in their field, then gain the chance to network with our leading academics with drinks and nibbles.

A female student in an Imperial laboratory

In small groups you will design and implement your own experimental plans in a supervised lab setting.

A group of students engaging in a teaching session

Explore a wealth of topics in biomedicine through interactive taught themes.

Gain hands-on laboratory experience during the mini-research project

A group of Summer School students participating in a social event

Interact with students from across the globe and build future networks.