Applications of Genomics in Infectious Disease15 credits

The aim of this microcredential is that the student will understand how genomics can be used to improve diagnostic accuracy, predict which drugs are likely to be more effective in individual patients and contribute to the monitoring, treatment and control of infectious disease in individuals and populations.

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 susceptibility and the problem of antibiotic resistance. Clinical examples discussed will include tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, Salmonella and Ebola.

Course content

• Infection as a cause of national and global morbidity and mortality.
• Transmission of human infections: person to person, food and waterborne, sexually transmitted, and vector borne.
• Prokaryotes: their genome, replication and population genetics.
• Genomic characterisation of viruses: DNA and RNA genomes, single-stranded, double-stranded and segmented.
• Genomic comparisons of microbial strains in the context of outbreaks, and transmissions in hospitals and the community.
• Laboratory diagnosis, including current genomic techniques and technologies, and appropriate sample type; analysis and interpretation of genomic data, and the role of bioinformatics; and awareness of standardised nomenclature.
• Anti-infective drug action.
• Mutation rate and drug resistance.
• Genomic evidence of individual susceptibility to specific infection.
• Role of genomics in: infectious disease diagnosis, prognosis, drug selection, resistance, monitoring, epidemic control and drug research.

Attendance required

On campus teaching will take place on 5 days: Monday 28th - Wednesday 30th April and Thursday 8th - Friday 9th May 2025.

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 microcredential.

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

Please note this microcredential is available for home applicants only.

Why choose a Postgraduate Microcredential short course?

• Microcredentials offer the perfect opportunity to boost your CV without the commitment of a full degree
• Usually taken from existing modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
• Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
• Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
• Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
• Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.

Please note the deadline for submitting an application:

• Applicants eligible for Home fees are to apply a minimum of 6 weeks before the module start date.
• Applicants eligible for Overseas fees are to apply a minimum of 3 months before the module start date.

Please note that once registered for the microcredential you cannot swap for the non-credit short course version.