Microbiology

Key facts

• Students in the Microbiology program of the University of Glasgow study key virulence determinants of bacterial pathogens and the host factors that influence outcome of disease, particularly within the immune system. Using both animal models and human systems, we aim to develop better drugs and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of infection.
• Growing resistance to antibiotics poses a grave threat to human health and developing novel strategies to combat bacterial infections is one of this century’s most important scientific challenges. Microbiology at theSchool of Infection and Immunityis focused on a molecular understanding bacterial pathogenesis and utilising this to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of bacterial infections.
• Individual research projects may cover a range of human pathogens that cause community and hospital acquired infections in addition to economically important animal pathogens. The bacterial species studied includeS. aureus,E. coli,S. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa,C. difficile,C. jejuni,S. entericandP. multocida.

Courses include:

• molecular basis of virulence in Staphylococcus aureus and C. difficile

• bacterial manipulation of apoptosis

• bacteriophage and pathogenicity island genetics

• development of therapeutic anti-virulence strategies

• pneumonia and cystic fibrosis

• interactions of bacteria with the host immune system