Veterinary Microbiology

Entry requirements

Students will normally have a minimum of a 2:1 class honours degree in a relevant biological science subject, or an equivalent medical, veterinary or dental qualification. Applicants are selected on the basis of their curriculum vitae, qualifications and referees’ reports, together with their perceived ability to complete the programme successfully and on the value of the training offered to their subsequent career plans.

Months of entry

Anytime

Course content

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. In IGH we study infectious agents in both humans and animals of economic importance.

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.