Medical Microbiology MPhil

Medical and Veterinary Microbiology are the study of the agents responsible for causing human or animal infections: bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. This includes the study of underlying mechanisms of pathogen virulence, diagnostics and identification of pathogens, pathogen epidemiology, and antimicrobial resistance. Research in Medical Microbiology is based in new laboratories at three sites, the Ronald Ross Building, IC2 and Leahurst. It encompasses studies of the pathogenicity, diagnostics, identification, epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of a range of bacterial pathogens including: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. We have strong groups working on zoonotic pathogens, such as Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella. Techniques used include: pathogen culture and diagnostic identification methods, PCR and transcriptomic and genomic technologies, including metagenomics, resequencing and genotyping cell separation, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, proteomics and infection models. The aims of the research are to investigate the transmission routes and behaviour of pathogens during infections and use this knowledge to design better therapeutic strategies or vaccines in order to improve the health of humans and animals. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) can be thought of as a shorter version of the PhD. It requires the same research skills, training, planning, and project management. It can be a way to assess whether you wish to undertake doctoral research - or it can be taken for its own sake.