Introductory description

This module builds upon an understanding of the basic microbiology given in year 1 (Infection Biology & Microbiology) and year 2 (Microbial Pathogens). The module will introduce students to applied aspects of microbiology and diagnosis of disease, built around research-led teaching in areas of SLS expertise in bacteriology, AMR and the development of novel antibacterial therapies. The module contextualises current diagnostic and therapeutic standards within current microbiology R&D.

The module will introduce students to how microorganisms invade the body, disrupt human physiology and how we can use this disruption to diagnose disease. The role of the clinical microbiologist in determining the nature of the infection and subsequent treatment will be dealt with, with input from lecturers with professional experience of this area. Antimicrobial tolerance and resistance will be explored from the perspectives of bacterial physiology, bacteria-host interactions and natural selection. Explanations of novel and in-development methods for treating and diagnosing infections are provided throughout the module, drawing on recent primary literature.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

CONTENT
The role of host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions in infection biology and outcomes of acute and chronic infections.
Detailed exploration of CF lungs and UTIs as example infections that demonstrate key concepts related to host-pathogen interaction and treatment failure.
How antibiotics are developed, and proposed alternatives to antibiotics.
Adaptation and selection at work in the evolution of AMR.
How clinical microbiologists work in practice do diagnose infection and suggest treatments.
Explanatons of some key technology developments have aided microbiology research.

Transferable skills

Critical thinking. Students will develop critical thinking skills by evaluating evidence, synthesizing complex information, and forming reasoned arguments to support their perspectives.

Information literacy. Students will identify and use credible, up-to-date sources to gather information about the etiology, microbiology, and treatment strategies for infectious diseases, ensuring they evaluate the reliability and relevance of the information for informed decision-making in clinical practice and research.

Interdisciplinary thinking. The module content draws in part on concepts learned in evolutionary biology modules (how AMR spreads by natural selection) and requires students to understand how some molecular biology tools work (different nucleic acid sequencing platforms).

Understanding of the practical applications of some current technologies for conducting hypothesis-driven biology, including imaging modalities, transcriptomics, genomics.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Consolidate and extend existing understanding of common clinically relevant pathogens to appreciate how the in-host environment cues the expression of clinically-relevant behaviours, and the effects of this on disease and its management.
• Understanding of the key aspects of human physiology which allow microorganisms to become pathogens
• Understanding of how antibiotic resistance and tolerance arise, discriminating between these phenomena and the processes that produce them.
• Consolidate understanding of the diagnostic techniques used to identify infective agents, and assess their susceptibility to antibiotics
• Understanding of current and in-development treatment strategies for common infections
• Understanding of the professional roles of clinical microbiologists and research microbiologists in finding effective treatments for infection
• Understanding of the mechanisms and implications of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in common clinically relevant pathogens
• Ability to devise and communicate a research plan to help researchers meet priority goals in infection treatment or prevention

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Subject specific skills

By the end of the module students will have a scholarly understanding of:

1. the biology of common clinically relevant pathogens
2. the key aspects of human physiology which allow microorganisms to become pathogens
3. how antibiotic resistance and tolerance arise
4. the diagnostic techniques used to identify infective agents, and assess their susceptibility to antibiotics
5. current and in-development treatment strategies for common infections
6. technologies for imaging bacteria – how they are currently used to aid research
7. how genomic/bioinformatic technologies are currently used to aid research and diagnostics.
8. the role of clinical microbiologists and research microbiologists in finding effective treatments for infection

Transferable skills

1. Critical thinking. Students will develop critical thinking skills by evaluating evidence, synthesizing complex information, and forming reasoned arguments to support their perspectives.
2. Information literacy. Students will identify and use credible, up-to-date sources to gather information about the etiology, microbiology, and treatment strategies for infectious diseases, ensuring they evaluate the reliability and relevance of the information for informed decision-making in clinical practice and research.
3. Interdisciplinary thinking. The module content draws in part on concepts learned in evolutionary biology modules (how AMR spreads by natural selection) and requires students to understand how some molecular biology tools work (different nucleic acid sequencing platforms).