New advances in our understanding of biological function can be expected from a synthesis of molecular genetics, biochemistry, and insights gained from molecular structural information. Individuals with a quantitative, physical approach will be best placed to be innovators in the field.

A major focus of the programme offered by the  is on biophysical approaches to determining the structure of macromolecules and macromolecular assemblies. Faculty advisers are chosen from any of the participating departmental faculty regardless of their affiliation to a particular discipline; a particular strength of the participating faculty is structural studies. Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics students will have access to state-of-the-art x-ray facilities at the nearby Advanced Photon Source, currently one of the most intense x-ray sources in the world.