Oxford Biological Chemistry Summer School

4001-699-686

Course Content

Research Frontiers in Biology, Chemistry, and Medicine
Introduction to Molecular Biology, Medicine, and Biochemical Techniques
Microbiology and Pathogen Research
Fundamental Experiments in Organic and Biochemistry
Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Applications
Analytical Chemistry and Molecular Detection Technologies
Frontiers in Green Chemistry and Enzyme Engineering
Bioinformatics and AI in Life Sciences Applications

—  Introduction —

About the Oxford Biological Chemistry

Summer School

The Oxford Biological Chemistry Summer School is jointly organized by the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, and the Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research (OSCAR). It aims to provide students aspiring to delve deeper into bioscience and interdisciplinary fields with the opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of cutting-edge research directions. The course will be held at the University of Oxford and led by honorary professors, research fellows, and doctors from Oxford. Upon successful completion of the programme, students will receive an official certificate of completion jointly issued by the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford and OSCAR, along with personalized academic feedback provided by the University of Oxford’s Department of Chemistry.

ASEEDER, as the official partner of the Oxford Biological Chemistry Summer School, has been offering this immersive Oxford learning experience to outstanding Chinese high school students since 2025. In 2026, students will continue to participate in academic lectures, work in the multimillion-pound undergraduate teaching laboratory, and complete approx. 50% of the curriculum as hands-on experimental courses guided by award-winning instructors from Oxford's Teaching Excellence Awards. The programme offers specially designed project selection, BP Debate, and academic skill-building workshops with doctoral student mentorship to enable students to produce high-level final works. Beyond academics, students will reside in Oxford dormitories, participate in an exclusive Formal Dinner to experience a centuries-old academic ritual, explore iconic landmarks of Oxford and London, and the classic English countryside of the Cotswolds, ensuring a rich cultural exploration experience.

— 视频介绍 —

—  Why us —

Official Summer School
Led by honorary professors, research fellows, and doctors from Oxford; gain an official certificate of completion and personalized academic feedback
50% Lab-intensive Curriculum
Hands-on experiments at Chemistry Teaching Laboratory; guided by awardwinning instructors from Oxford's Teaching Excellence Awards
Exclusive Biochemistry Industry Insight Tour
Visit the BEGBROKE SCIENCE PARK Centre for Innovation & Enterprise and Oxford MEStar to gain firsthand exposure to commercialized research
High-Valued Academic Output
DPhil-Student-Guided Project Selection, BP Debate, and academic skill-building workshops to produce high-quality final works
Immersive Oxford Experience
Reside in the Oxford dormitory, attend an exclusive Formal Dinner to experience a centuries-old academic ritual
British CulturalLandmarks
Explore iconic landmarks of Oxford and London, and the classic English countryside of the Cotswolds to immerse in British heritage

—  Be a "CHEMIST" in Oxford's Chemistry Teaching Laboratory —

The Chemistry Teaching Laboratory(CTL), opened in 2018, is the Department's newest building. The state-of-the-art teaching labs provide a dedicated space for undergraduates in a fully accessible building. The labs house over £2,000,000 worth of equipment for undergraduate use, including a multi-nuclear NMR spectrometer, gas chromatograph, an HPLC set up for analysing chiral compounds, a TLC-mass spec, ICP/MS, and bench-top NMR spectrometers. The new building and equipment have helped to enable Oxford Chemistry undergraduates to enjoy a fully integrated practical course.

Under the guidance of a high-ratio instructional team (including senior lecturers, laboratory instructors, and technical specialists), students will gain hands-on experience operating equipment, including the NMR spectrometers, IR spectroscopy, rotary evaporators, vacuum filtration and sterile culture systems, TLC and melting point apparatuses, engaging in the end-to-end process from experimental design, operation, and data analysis.

Citrus Essence
- Extraction and Analysis of Limonene

Extract natural products from citrus fruits, and analyse molecular structure and chirality using IR and NMR.

Classic Medicine
- Synthesis of Aspirin

Master operations like crystallization, purification, and spectroscopic validation via the preparation of drug molecules from wintergreen oil.

Scent Synthesis Lab
- Green Synthesis of Ester Molecules

Compare two organic synthesis routes to discuss yield, atom economy, and sustainability principles.

* Specific experiment projects are subject to the actual arrangement of the CTL.

Bacterial Fighter
- Antibiotic Synthesis and Activity Detection

Synthesize antibacterial molecules, test their antibacterial activity, and analyse their purity and structures.

—  Course Modules —

Academic Lectures led
by Oxford Instructors

Oxford Undergraduate
Laboratory Course

DPhil-Student-Guided Project Selection, BP Debate/Academic Skill Workshops

Biochemistry Industry Visits
CIE and Oxford MEStar Visit Tour & Industry Talks

Field Research
Visits to Oxford's Botanic Garden/History of Science Museum/Oxford University Museum of Natural History/Pitt Rivers Museum

—  Sample Teaching Faculty  —

* For reference only. Please be subject to the final arrangement of the Oxford Biological Chemistry Summer School.

—  课程结构 —

牛津导师学术专题课程
学生将在牛津大学导师团队的带领下，深入学习生物技术、植物酶工程应用、病毒检测等领域前沿知识，了解生物学不同细分领域，积累生物学相关知识储备，开拓专业视野。
牛津大学博士生学术指导
该模块采用牛津大学经典的tutorial 教学模式，由牛津大学在读博士生对学生进行深入的学术指导，帮助学生在科学实践中深化所学知识，完成个人及团队学术科研任务。
实验室参访及实操
学生将跟随牛津大学导师团队，参访牛津大学生物学研究机构和牛津大学官方合作生物研究公司，感受真实的生物研发环境，体验前沿生物技术，更有机会在专业人士指导下进行部分生物学实验操作。
小组/个人学术任务

学生将根据学术课题进行研究，在牛津大学博士生的指导下对选定学术主题进行深入探索，完成学术主题研究报告并进行全英文展示。

校园及城市探索
学生将有机会参访牛津大学植物园、图书馆等牛津大学校内标志性场所，并前往伦敦 / 剑桥等城市，多角度感受英伦教育氛围与文化发展。

Course Content

* For reference only. Please be subject to the final arrangement of the Oxford Biological Chemistry Summer School.

Research Frontiers in Biology, Chemistry, and Medicine

This course explores the latest advancements in life sciences and mechanical research, systematically covering frontier areas such as precision medicine, synthetic biology, immunotherapy, RNA drugs, and biomaterials engineering. Through research case studies (e.g., mRNA vaccines, CAR-T cell therapy, solid electrolytes, and biosensors), students will understand how multidisciplinary integration drives innovation in medicine and technology.

Introduction to Molecular Biology, Medicine, and Biochemical Techniques

The course covers the structure and function of DNA, RNA, and proteins, and analyses technologies like gene expression regulation, molecular cloning, and protein engineering. It combines practical cases to demonstrate how techniques such as PCR amplification, CRISPR gene editing, and transgenic design drive the development of industries including medical diagnostics, agricultural breeding, and environmental management.

Microbiology and Pathogen Research

This topic focuses on the structural characteristics and infection mechanisms of pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and fungi, helping students understand the close relationship between pathogenic organisms and human health. Using zoonotic disease cases (e.g., avian influenza, COVID-19, rabies), the course will discuss disease transmission chains, immune response mechanisms, and the principles behind vaccine development.

Fundamental Experiments in Organic and Biochemistry

Students will complete a series of biochemical experiments at CTL. For example, an experiment on "esterification involving acyl chlorides" is used to synthesize perfume fragrance analogs, allowing students to understand the real-world application of organic reaction design in pharmaceutical synthesis, food flavouring, and materials chemistry.

Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Applications

This course introduces the action mechanisms of drug molecules, the discovery pathways for lead compounds, and SAR. Through case analysis (e.g., Aspirin, β-lactam antibiotics, small-molecule anti-tumor drugs), it helps students understand how drugs progress from chemical structure to clinical application. The course also introduces knowledge of pharmacokinetics, target selection, and drug screening platforms, establishing a complete framework of pharmaceutical chemistry for students.

Analytical Chemistry and Molecular Detection Technologies

This course explains modern chemical analysis tools, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence analysis, gas/liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and electrochemical detection techniques. Using case studies, the course will demonstrate how molecular detection enables precise analysis of pathogens, environmental pollutants, and trace biomarkers, helping students understand the technical chain "from molecule to disease diagnosis".

Frontiers in Green Chemistry and Enzyme Engineering

Centred on green chemistry and sustainable development, this topic introduces enzyme catalysis, microbial synthesis, and biotransformation technologies. Students will learn the basic principles of enzyme engineering (directed evolution, rational design), understand how to improve reaction efficiency and reduce by-products through enzymatic catalysis, and explore the application prospects of green synthesis in pharmaceutical manufacturing, fine chemicals, and agricultural production.

Bioinformatics and AI in Life Sciences Applications

The course introduces fundamental bioinformatics tools for gene sequence analysis, protein structure prediction, and phylogenetic tree construction. Combined with the latest developments in AI technology, it will present application examples of deep learning in disease diagnosis, drug screening, and protein folding prediction (e.g., AlphaFold).

—  Sample Schedule —

Time 9:30/10:00-12:00 14:00-15:00 15：00-17：00 After 17:00
Day 1 Arrival and Hotel Check-in
Day2
  • Course Overview
  • Oxford Academic Lecture
 Oxford Academic Lecture/Doctoral Project Insights DPhil-Student-Guided Project Selection, BP Debate/Academic Skill Workshops
  • Self-Directed Study: Independently learn and review the knowledge learned in the course, and complete the independent research content
  • Dinner
Day3 Oxford Academic Lecture DPhil-Student-Guided Project Selection, BP Debate/Academic Skill Workshops Field Research: Oxford's Botanic Garden/History of Science Museum/Oxford University Museum of Natural History/Pitt Rivers Museum
Day 4 CTL Experimental Course: Lab Lectures and Hands-on Operations
Day 5 Oxford Academic Lecture/Doctoral Project Insights Oxford Academic Lecture/Doctoral Project Insights DPhil-Student-Guided Project Selection, BP Debate/Academic Skill Workshops
Day 6 CTL Experimental Course: Lab Lectures and Hands-on Operations
Day 7 Explore iconic landmarks of London and the classic English countryside of the Cotswolds, to immerse yourself in British heritage
Day 8
Day 9 Oxford Academic Lecture/Doctoral Project Insights DPhil-Student-Guided Project Selection, BP Debate/Academic Skill Workshops DPhil-Student-Guided Project Selection, BP Debate/Academic Skill Workshops
  • Self-Directed Study: Independently learn and review the knowledge learned in the course, and complete the independent research content
  • Dinner
Day 10 CTL Experimental Course: Lab Lectures and Hands-on Operations
Day 11 Biochemistry Industry Visits: CIE and Oxford MEStar Visit Tour & Industry Talks • Formal Dinner
Day 12 CTL Experimental Course: Lab Lectures and Hands-on Operations
  • Prepare for the final presentation
  • Dinner
Day 13
  • Presentation Guidance and Preparation
  • Final Presentation and Feedback * Previous Students' Presentation Topics:
    • mRNA Vaccine
    • Treating Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLC) Using Epigenetics Therapies
    • Controllable Replication of Telomeres in Cells and its Influencence in terms of Cell Immortality
    • Cross-cancer Comparison: Commonalities and Specificities of Differential Gene Expression of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Breast Cancer (BRCA)
  • Closing Ceremony
 Dinner
Day 14 Departure
* For reference only. Please be subject to the final arrangement of the Oxford Biological Chemistry Summer School.

— Moments —

Academic Lecture

Hands-on Lab Operation

Guided by Excellent Instructors

Research Presentation

Field Research

Biochemistry Industry Visit

BP Debate

Oxford Formal Dinner

British Cultural Exploration

— Testimonials —

I thoroughly enjoyed the experiments in this project, which deepened my understanding of organic chemistry and biochemistry principles. This experience further solidified my interest in pursuing advanced studies in the life sciences and has been invaluable for my future academic choices and career planning.

——Gu,Ulink College of Shanghai

I had the opportunity to engage with professors and instructors from diverse research fields, each with profound expertise in their respective specializations. This exposure not only helped me understand the structure and branches of life sciences but also solidified my future academic interests and professional direction. At school, my focus is primarily on mastering textbook knowledge and exercises, with limited hands-on experience in practical laboratory techniques. This programme allowed me to step into a professional lab for the first time, an experience I found both thrilling and unforgettable.

——Xiao, The Affiliated International School of Shenzhen University (Zhanhua Campus)

I gained deeper exposure to knowledge in university level, which alleviated my concern about struggling to follow professors' lectures in the future. Through this summer school, I developed a much better understanding of spectra, detection methods, and synthesis techniques, and learned to apply them effectively in practice. I believe this experience will be excellent material for my personal statement, showcasing my exploration of specialized knowledge and my immersion in British culture, to make a stronger, more positive impression on future professors.

——Deng, Dalian No.24 High School

— Application —

【Date】

Jul. 26 - Aug. 8, 2026

【Location】

University of Oxford, UK

【Tailored to】

Students aged 16 and above interested in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, biomedicine, and life sciences.

【Requirements】

  • English language level equivalent to IELTS level 6.5 or TOEFL 90, and obtain a grade A or above in one of the biology-chemistry-related subjects (or a score of 7 in biology or chemistry in IGCSE)
  • A phone or online interview with an ASEEDER teacher if the above standards are not met.

【Fee】

Includes: Tuition, accommodation (single room or twin room at Oxford's dormitory), breakfast, cold lunches on 5 lab days, formal dinner, excursion and exploration, ASEEDER group leader service fee, pick-up and drop-off fees between the airport and the University of Oxford (only for the same flight with ASEEDER), cultural visit transportation, international insurance, and study materials.

Excludes：

  1. International round-trip airfare (ASEEDER will choose 1-2 cities for departing and arriving from Beijing/Shanghai/Shenzhen/Hong Kong; you can use a third-party service or ASEEDER's unified service). Please confirm with the responsible teacher at ASEEDER before purchasing tickets.)
  2. Catering: lunch on 9 non-laboratory days and all dinners during the programme (since the programme takes place on campus or in urban areas, students can choose to dine at a restaurant independently or join group meals at recommended venues at their expense under the guidance of group leaders.
  3. Visa and Visa Service Fee: (ASEEDER Visa Worry-Free Guarantee Service: In the case of visa rejection, eligible applicants will either receive a full refund of the visa service fee or a complimentary re-application, and the full programme fee will be fully refunded, ensuring no financial loss.)

— Q&A —

Must applicants have a relevant disciplinary knowledge background to register for the project?
In this project, students will learn cutting-edge knowledge and current hot research topics in biochemistry, and will complete biochemical experiments under the guidance of professionals. A certain level of foundational knowledge in the subject is required; otherwise, students will not be able to carry out research tasks of corresponding difficulty and depth.
How will student accommodation be arranged during the programme?
During the programme, students will be housed in undergraduate accommodation at Hertford College, University of Oxford. Rooms are typically single or double occupancy, with shared bathroom facilities on each floor. Specific accommodation arrangements are subject to the official arrangements made by the summer school organizers.

— Contact us —