Cell and Tissue Biomedicine
Welcome to Warwick Medical School from the Cell and Tissue Biomedicine (CTB) team!
We are thrilled to have you join us in exploring the intricate and fascinating world of biomedicine. CTB encompasses physiology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, nutrition, histology, and pathology. During your time at WMS, you will delve into the complex mechanisms that underpin health and disease. This process is about gaining knowledge, critical thinking, compassion, and improving patient care. As a team we are here to support you every step of the way in your journey to become skilled healthcare professionals.
We look forward to meeting you in person soon!
How to use this page
On this page you can find details about the team, what to expect from CTB teaching, and resources to help you prepare for starting in September.
Below you will find information on Science for Medicine, an optional resource that might be particularly useful if you are from a non-science background.
Welcome Week material is now available!
Scroll down the page to find videos and resources for a select number of Welcome Week CTB sessions that have been released early for you to get a head start on the content. This content is examinable!
We encourage you to engage with this material ahead of starting at Warwick in September.
Dr Nick Hopcroft
Lead for Cell & Tissue Biomedicine Theme, Director of Undergraduate Studies WMS
Dr Nick Hopcroft has been an Associate Professor at the University of Warwick since 2017. Prior to that he taught Medicine and Medical Sciences at the University of Exeter and held positions in higher education related funding and governance. He is currently Director of Undergraduate Studies within Warwick Medical School.
n.hopcroft@warwick.ac.uk
Dr Clare Garcin
Lead for Health, Metabolism and Homeostasis (Block 1)
I joined the CTB team at WMS in 2024 following a research career at the University of Manchester, King's College London, and the University of Warwick. My background is in cell and developmental biology and I hope that I can use this to help students to understand the fundamentals of biomedical science going forward in their medical training.
c.garcin@warwick.ac.uk
Dr Helen Strachan-Jones
On maternity Leave from May 2025- May 2026
Lead for Blood, Lungs and Heart (Block 2), Deputy Chair Course Progress Group (CPG)
I have worked at WMS since 2017, initially as a Clinical Education Fellow and then as an Assistant Professor. As a former junior doctor, I aim to put physiology in a clinical context, focussing on the knowledge and skills students need to graduate as safe and competent doctors. I actively engage in education research and supervisor SSC2 and PGT students, fostering critical thinking skills and mutual learning with students.
helen.strachan-jones@warwick.ac.uk
Dr Mark Richards
Deputy Lead for Phase 1, Deputy Senior Tutor (Phase 1)
I joined the CTB team at WMS in 2021 following a laboratory-based research career at the University of Manchester and the University of Oxford. On the MBChB course I teach fundamental concepts of physiology and pathophysiology to provide a solid foundation for understanding medicine. My main focus is on Phase 1 and Phase 2 teaching, but I am also involved in supervision of SSC2 and elective projects in Phases 2 and 3. I am the current Deputy Senior Tutor for Phase 1 and oversee the personal tutor system that provides wellbeing support for the Year 1 students.
mark.richards.1@warwick.ac.uk
Dr Helen Poulton
Lead for Reproduction and Child Health (Block 5), Deputy Lead for Phase 1
I moved to WMS in 2018 from the University of Birmingham and have a background in surgery. I delivery CTB histology teaching, alongside Clinical Anatomy and Imaging teaching, and link my lessons to real clinical scenarios. I'm committed to supporting students both academically and personally.
helen.poulton@warwick.ac.uk
Preparatory resources (Science for Medicine)
We are excited to introduce Science for Medicine, a project providing preparatory materials on essential basic science topics. This initiative aims to increase your confidence in learning science and ensure a smooth transition into your medical studies. Science for Medicine offers a series of topics that cover fundamental concepts in biomedicine. Each topic consists of a short video produced by a member of the CTB team, accompanying reading, and a worksheet (after you're enrolled you can access a Moodle course with interactive quizzes instead of worksheets).
We anticipate that each topic will take approximately one hour to complete. These materials are not compulsory; you have the flexibility to choose which topics to engage with based on your background and experience.
You can access six topics below. For each video you can turn on closed captions and download a transcript.
Happy learning!
Recommended reading
Before you join us, we strongly recommended that students without a background in science familiarise themselves with the material covered in one of the resources below:
- Catch Up Compendium for Life and Medical Sciences, P Bradley, M Fry and M Harris (2013). Third edition. Scion Publishing Ltd.
- Khan Academy: Biology libraryLink opens in a new window
- Boundless General BiologyLink opens in a new window
It's important that all students reconsider how they learn; access the student created Study TipsLink opens in a new window guide for advice and resources (available when you receive your username and login access).
1. Fundamental Mathematical Concepts
1.1.1 Fundamental Mathematical Concepts video 1Link opens in a new window (17 mins)
1.1.2 Fundamental Mathematical Concepts video 2Link opens in a new window (10 mins)
1.2 Accompanying reading:
- BBC Bitesize: PowersLink opens in a new window
- BBC Bitesize: Algebraic formulaeLink opens in a new window
- For additional resources on handling numbers, refer to the relevant section on BBC BitesizeLink opens in a new window
1.3 Fundamental Mathematical Concepts worksheetLink opens in a new window
2. Atoms and Ions
2.1 Atoms and Ions videoLink opens in a new window (17 mins)
2.2 Accompanying reading: Boundless Biology: The Chemical Foundation of LifeLink opens in a new window Pages 2.1 to 2.6.
3. Molecules and Chemical Bonds
3.1 Molecules and Chemical Bonds videoLink opens in a new window (15 mins)
3.2 Accompanying reading: Boundless Biology: The Chemical Foundation of LifeLink opens in a new window Pages 2.7 to 2.10.
4. Solutions and Concentration
4.1 Solutions and Concentration videoLink opens in a new window (17 mins)
4.2 Accompanying reading:
-
Boundless Biology: The Chemical Foundation of LifeLink opens in a new window Pages 2.11 & 2.15
- Introductory Chemistry Online!Link opens in a new window Pages 4.1 to 4.3
5. Basic Cell Structure
5.1 Basic Cell Structure videoLink opens in a new window (15 mins)
5.2 Accompanying reading: Boundless Biology: Cell StructureLink opens in a new window Pages 4.5 to 4.9; 4.11 to 4.14; 4.16 & 4.17.
6. Macromolecules
6.1 Macromolecules videoLink opens in a new window (12 mins)
6.2 Accompanying reading: Boundless Biology: Biological MacromoleculesLink opens in a new window Pages 3.1 to 3.9
Welcome Week Resources
In this section, you will find learning resources from the CTB theme that form part of the required examinable course content for Welcome Week. It is your choice whether you use these resources now or when you start the course, but previous student feedback suggests that those without a background in biology particularly benefit from accessing them in advance. Also, engaging with the material prior to Welcome Week will spare up some of your time to get involved in the activities scheduled for Welcome Week evenings!
If you do not have a background in biology, we recommend you access the additional Science for Medicine content first. The remainder of the CTB content for Welcome Week will be available upon enrolment.
B0: CTB Cells and Genes
What is this session about?
The topics covered in this session will also be revisited later in the course, but the intention now is to gain an overview of cellular structure, the cell cycle (including cell division) and basic genetics.
Educator
Dr Nick Hopcroft
B0: CTB DNA, RNA and Proteins
What is this session about?
This learning session provides an overview of molecular biology - the molecular structures of DNA, RNA and proteins, as well as the processes of replication, transcription and translation in which they are involved. If you haven't studied science for a while, we strongly encourage you to watch the Science for Medicine videos 'Macromolecules' first.
Educator
Dr Nick Hopcroft
B0: CTB Movement Across the Cell Membrane
What is this session about?
This learning session examines the processes and mechanisms that control and regulate the passage of ions and small molecules across the cell membrane.
Educator
Dr Clare Garcin
B0: CTB Osmosis and Osmolarity
What is this session about?
This learning session will describe osmosis, which is the physical process by which the concentration of solutions determines how water moves across a selectively permeable membrane.
Educator
Dr Helen Strachan-Jones
B0: CTB Cell Signalling
What is this session about?
Educator
Dr Mark Richards
B0: CTB Electrochemical Equilibrium and Action Potentials
What is this session about?
This learning session will explain how electrochemical gradients influence the movement of charged ions across the cell membrane and how this electrical activity can generate action potentials.
Educator
Dr Mark Richards