MSc Infection Biology

• Understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites) cause infection in man.
• Understand the immune evasion strategies used by various pathogens  to circumvent host defences by modification of the host's cellular physiology
• Understand the problem of antimicrobial  resistance and nosocomial infections.
• Understand the importance and change of microbiome in health and infection disease conditions
• Understand contemporary approaches used to study the major pathogens of human importance.
• Describe the current challenges of infection control and vaccine development.
• Acquire a detailed and systematic understanding of the principle concepts of infection and antimicrobial immunity
• Integrate and apply knowledge to synthesise new theories on mechanistic basis of disease
• Be aware of the practical issues and problems associated with conducting high quality research, including ethical issues
• Acquire an understanding of the theory and practise of research methods and scientific techniques basic to the discipline
• Work individually and collaboratively to identify appropriate methodology during experimental planning, interpret and present scientific data, interrogate relevant scientific literature and develop research plans
• Recognise potential methodological failings and strategize accordingly
• Understand scientific methodology together with the philosophical contexts within which research is conducted in science and medicine
• Exercise theoretical and practical knowledge required for employment in a variety of biomedical environments

• Critically analyse, evaluate, interpret and understand the significance of research findings and the biomedical areas that underpin the discipline
• Analyse, interpret, objectively evaluate and prioritise scientific literature, recognising its limitations and questioning preconceived ideas
• Recognise, define, formulate and prioritise research questions that are pertinent to the discipline
• Understand and be able to critically appreciate methodology, including the appropriate selection of quantitative or qualitative methods
• Recognise the importance of rigour in collecting, analysing and interpreting data
• Exhibit creativity and resourcefulness in professional learning, scientific endeavour and research formulations

• Design and carry out research projects using appropriate methodologies to address specific research questions
• Present information clearly in written, electronic and oral forms, and communicate ideas and arguments effectively
• Retrieve, manage and manipulate information by all means, including electronically 

• Effectively manage time resources and set priorities
• Monitor and realistically evaluate own performance and personal capability
• Be aware of career opportunities and if appropriate, plan a career path in academic or clinical research
• Make oral and written presentations to specialists and non-specialists
• Demonstrate a capacity for self-directed, independent learning and adopt the principles of critical reflection and evaluation
• Understand and comply with the requirements of research governance
• Recognise the views of others and work constructively with them in a multidisciplinary context 

1.5 Hour Examination 60%

Online quizzes at the end of each lecture 40%

Marks will be provided online within 15 working days of assessment deadline

Lars P. Erwig & Neil A. R. Gow (2016)Interactions of fungal pathogens with phagocytes

Nature Reviews Microbiology 14, 163–176 doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2015.21

Robert A. Fisher, Bridget Gollan & Sophie Helaine (2017) Persistent bacterial infections and persister cells Nature Reviews Microbiology 15, 453–464 doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.42

Neta Shlezinger, Henriette Irmer, Sourabh Dhingra, Sarah R. Beattie, Robert A. Cramer, Gerhard H. Braus, Amir Sharon, Tobias M. Hohl (2017) Sterilizing immunity in the lung relies on targeting fungal apoptosis-like programmed cell death Science  357: 1037-1041

DOI: 10.1126/science.aan0365

Ellen M. Leffler et al (2017) Resistance to malaria through structural variation of red blood cell invasion receptors Science  DOI: 10.1126/science.aam6393

Mutataon rate and genotype variation of Ebola virus from Mali case sequences

T. Hoenen et al (2017) Science  DOI: 10.1126/science.aaa5646

Bacterial Pathogenesis: A molecular Approach. Salyers, A. A and Whitt, D. D. ASM press.

Molecular Infection Biology: Interactions Between Microorganisms and Cells.    J. Hacker and J. Heesemann, ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2002, 339 pp., hard cover