Research course

Virology

Institution
University of Liverpool · Faculty of Medicine
Qualifications
MPhil/PhDMD

Entry requirements

For full entry requirement details, please see the course page on the University website.

Months of entry

Anytime

Course content

Virology is the study of the viral agents responsible for causing disease in humans or animals. This includes the study of underlying mechanisms of virulence, virus epidemiology and immune responses to viruses.

The University of Liverpool’s Institute of Infection and Global Health was established to bring together leading medical, veterinary and basic science researchers from across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. We also enjoy close and active collaboration with NHS colleagues through the Liverpool Health Partners Academic Health Science System.

Research in Virology is based in new laboratories in the Ronald Ross Building and ic2 Building on the main University city centre campus. Our research encompasses studies of the pathogenicity, diagnostics, identification, epidemiology and immune responses to a range of viral pathogens including: flaviviruses such as Japanese encephalitis virus and Zika virus; Ebola virus; Chikungunya virus; HIV; respiratory syncytial virus; cytomegalovirus and other herpesviruses. Techniques used include: diagnostic identification methods, flow cytometry, ELISA, epidemiology, transcriptomic and genomic technologies, 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.

Our research interests

We particularly welcome research proposals that match those of our researchers, including:

  • Emerging and Zoonotic infections – Prof Julian Hiscox, Prof Tom Solomon, Prof Lisa Ng, Dr Lance Turtle, Dr Geogios Pollakis
  • Gastrointestinal infections – Prof Nigel Cunliffe, Prof Miren Iturizza-Gomara
  • Respiratory infections – Prof Julian Hiscox , Prof James Stewart, Dr Qibo Zhang
  • Neurological infections – Prof Tom Solomon, Dr Mike Griffiths
  • Developing novel tools for studying HIV-1 vaccine efficacy and viral reservoir sized. (Prof Bill Paxton, Dr Georgios Pollakis

Research themes

Our research in virology spans a wide range of different virus families, which are linked to a broad spectrum of clinical diseases. These include the following areas:

  • Emerging and Zoonotic infections – Zika virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Chikungunya virus, Ebola virus
  • Gastrointestinal infections – Rotavirus, Noravirus
  • Respiratory infections – Influenza virus, Respiratory syncytial virus
  • Blood borne viruses – Human Immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis C virus
  • Neurological infections – Herpes Simplex virus, Japanese encephalitis virus

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MPhil/PhD
    part time
    48-72 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    full time
    24-48 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
  • MD
    part time
    24-72 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    full time
    24-48 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
PG Recruitment
Email
pgrecruitment@liverpool.ac.uk