Molecular Biology undergraduate background here.

In the name of trying to identify a discipline with some future in it ….I’m getting in a bit of a twist over where to take my career research wise (in terms of work experience and masters programs). I’ve found two general research areas that I particularly like the idea of – these are nanobiotechnology and phage therapy. I’ve even found some potential work experience that uses phage vectors to deliver nanoparticles to cancer cells, this I guess is the “Biology” end of the research spectrum using nanoparticles. Phage therapy however doesn’t need to involve the use of nanoparticles obviously .

I’m just going OCD over which route I want to take….and…If I go with the former choice…should I aim to move into more of the pure chemistry/engineering side of Nanobiotechnology by taking more of a chemistry/engineering based MSc….or should I stick to more Biology based research?

The subject seems to combine a ridiculous amount of scientific disciplines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanobiotechnology

I’d really really like to find myself at the forefront of something new and exciting 8)

well theres definately more funding to be had in the cancer area, even if phage therapy is potentially much more important in light of the fothcoming antibiotic-resistant-bugpocalypse

even if phage therapy is potentially much more important in light of the fothcoming antibiotic-resistant-bugpocalypse

I’m kind of counting on the MRSA apocalypse happening 😈

I just don’t want to be in a field that’s dead in 10 years and I’d also quite like to get into something with good growth prospects before everyone else jumps on the bandwagon.

Do you think at 750 euros per term, this course is worth a punt?

http://www.zfuw.uni-kl.de/en/distance-learning-courses/science-engineering/nanobiotechnology/

I’m not sure I’d want to pay , coursera has some excellent free stuff eg https://www.coursera.org/course/nanosensors

It’s seems to a be a post graduate certificate whilst their MSc Nanotechnology course is 750 euros per month as well (thanks to the German government subsidizing anyone and everyone)….unfortunately it’s a three year part time course and I need a few years experience in the field to actually register for it. 😥

Cheer’s for the coursera link, that seems interesting? Are they credited in terms of CATs points (would that make a difference to my CV)? It’s free though, so I’m going to sign up for it.

Choice choices choices