Applications of Genomics in Infectious Disease

Module overview

Modern high-throughput sequencing methodologies can provide unprecedented specificity for diagnosing infectious diseases and tracking the spread of an outbreak. Following introductory lectures about the global burden and transmission routes of infectious diseases, you will learn about the basic biology and genomics of bacteria, fungi and viruses, features associated with pathogenicity, the basis for antibiotic susceptility and the problem of antibiotic resistance. Clinical examples discussed will include tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, Salmonella and Ebola.

Credits

15 Masters level credits

Module attendance required

Teaching delivered one day each week for five consecutive weeks.

Module dates

28 February and 6/13/20/27 March 2020

Assessment

The module will be assessed via a short presentation, and an exam made up of short answer questions and a choice of essay. For those taking the module as a stand-alone option, you need only take the assessment if you require the University credits.

Academics involved in the delivery of this module 

Module Leads:

• Dr Peter Balfe 
• Prof Tim Mitchell (Professor of Microbial Infection and Immunity)

Other University staff teaching

• Professor Steve Busby
• Prof Willem van Schaik
• Dr Apoorva Bhatt
• Dr Andrew Bell
• Dr Alan McNally
• Prof Robin May
• Professor Peter Hawkey

NHS staff

• Dr Erasmus Smit

Other staff

• Prof Alexander Tarr, University of Nottingham

Stand-alone module

Fee
£1000

This module can be taken as a stand-alone assessed or non-assessed course.  

You should have a good honours degree in a life sciences subject, although we will consider applicants with alternative qualifications and professional experience within the health service or other relevant background. You should either take Fundamentals in Human Genetics and Genomics  and Omics Techniques and their Application to Genomic Medicine first, or be able to show you have equivalent knowledge and understanding to enable you to benefit from this module. 

Please contact the Programme Administrator for further information at genomics@contacts.bham.ac.uk