Life Science Research and Development

Specialisation of: Life Science & Technology
Degree: Master of Science in Life Science and Technology
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: 2 years
Start date: Flexible, for international students preferably September or February
Language of instruction: English
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In recent decades, life science research has enabled enormous breakthroughs in our understanding of fundamental molecular and cellular processes and mechanisms of life. The MSc programmes in Life Science & Technology in Leiden and Delft are complementary.
Knowledge about genomic organisation, studies of protein-protein interactions and the characterisation of molecular structures have become central in modern life science research and technology. This knowledge forms the basis of the molecular understanding of health and disease. It finds important applications in innovative health care, in the pharmaceutical industry and in so-called ‘red’ biotechnology, and is the focus of the Leiden programme.

The information about this programme is available in the following languages:

In recent decades, life science research has enabled enormous breakthroughs in our understanding of fundamental molecular and cellular processes and mechanisms of life. The MSc programmes in Life Science & Technology in Leiden and Delft are complementary.
Knowledge about genomic organisation, studies of protein-protein interactions and the characterisation of molecular structures have become central in modern life science research and technology. This knowledge forms the basis of the molecular understanding of health and disease. It finds important applications in innovative health care, in the pharmaceutical industry and in so-called ‘red’ biotechnology, and is the focus of the Leiden programme.

Reasons to Choose Life Science & Technology in Leiden

  1. Life Science & Technology educates MSc students in fundamental academic and applied technology elements within Life Sciences.
  2. This master’s programme is based on the collaboration between the two internationally well-known Leiden Institute of Chemistry and the Biotechnology Institute, Delft University of Technology.
  3. Students will become full members of the various multidisciplinary internationally reputed research groups.
  4. This master’s programme offers opportunities for carrying out research projects in excellent research groups worldwide and in industrial situations.
  5. The high standard of education and research facilities ensure excellent job prospects in industry, government and academia.
Photo science indoor

Prof. Abrahams

“Only by seeing the whole picture can we understand the details of life.”

“It is the ambition of every scientist to go beyond current understanding and uncover new principles and discover new practical applications. My particular expertise is in visualising the complicated, three-dimensional structures of large biological molecules and their complexes. My main motivation in research is to find new ways of visualising such structures. About ten years ago, when I discovered a new way of determining the phases of protein crystal structures, this allowed me to show how ATP is synthesized within mitochondria. The molecular structures of this molecular rotary engine that I determined, quickly found their way into all the text books.

New ways of looking at the nano-world of life are required, because there are many components and processes of life that cannot be seen by any current technology. I am convinced that the next step will come from bringing together and fully integrating all the relevant bits of knowledge, expertise and experimental data, from molecule to cell to organism. It was for this purpose that Leiden University built the Cell Observatory, a world-class, highly interdisciplinary facility that supports all types of advanced microscopy and other types of structural and functional research of the components of life. I am proud to be one of the driving forces of the Cell Observatory, and I invite you to join this groundbreaking initiative.”