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Summary

Course details

Course type:

Short Course

Director of studies:

MyLSTM

Mode of study:

Duration:

4 Weeks

Home fee:

£2500

Overseas fee:

£2500

3 good reasons to study

You will understand today’s advances in molecular medicine, and discuss their translation to contemporary disease interventions in the tropics.

This course is taught by world experts from LSTM and other UK universities.

Lectures are combined with practicals on basic gene cloning, PCR methodologies, and bioinformatics.

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

20 Academic Credits at Masters Level

For an additional fee of £95, you can be entered for full Academic Credits for this course (awarded by the University of Liverpool). The assessments will be updated soon.

Please note that assessments may change at the discretion of the Directors of Study. All students will be made aware of new assessment details. The academic credits are offered to provide choice and flexibility to all our students, and students who do not wish to be entered for academic credits will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance.

Course Outline

This course aims to provide you with key knowledge and critical understanding of the molecular and cellular biology of selected parasites and pathogens and their vectors that cause significant tropical disease. Through practical laboratory training applied to study of snake venoms, you will gain key bench skills in the use of recombinant DNA technology, PCR, DNA sequencing, and basic bioinformatics analysis.

Lecture content covers a broad range of topics, including:

state-of-the-art genomic sciences, and next-generation DNA sequencing;
molecular biology of surface antigens and their roles in parasite invasion and survival;
gene function and transcription underlying antigenic variation and diversity in kinetoplastids and apicomplexans;
survival and development of parasites in their arthropod vectors, and parasite–vector interactions;
chemotherapeutic targets and drug design, including insecticide resistance in key vectors; and
an introduction to molecular epidemiology.

Using a contemporary example of the Ebola epidemic, this information will be conveyed by formal lectures highlighting key concepts and essential facts, guided reading to explore topics in greater depth, interactive tutorials to develop critical understanding, student seminars to reinforce learning outcomes and gain experience in presentation skills, and practical sessions to gain technical competence and to illustrate important concepts in action.

Entrance Requirements

Academic requirements:

This course is suitable for people who require an update and to gain technical competence on the essentials of molecular and cellular biology.

English language requirements:

Attending course with Academic Credit:
The course is taught in English. Students whose first language is not English must provide evidence of an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of at least 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all learning components, or a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 88 for the Internet-based Test (iBT), with minimum scores of 21 for Listening and Writing, 22 for Reading and 23 for Speaking. Tests should be within their validity period of 2 years.

Attending course – Certificate of Attendance Only:
The course is taught in English and in a postgraduate setting. Students whose first language is not English should be aware that to benefit from the course participants should have English language proficiency at the equivalent of an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of at least 6.5.

Aims

This course aims to:

Critically review the exploitation of biochemical differences between parasites and their hosts in relation to parasite chemotherapy and vaccine research

Discuss the importance of differences in the molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry of eukaryotic parasites from those of their vectors and mammalian hosts

Apply a range of techniques in molecular cell biology and critically interpret the outcomes

Identify the unique adaptations of parasites and critically review their importance in survival and completion of their life cycles

Careers

Understanding the fundamental biology of parasites and insect vectors is critical for designing disease-control strategies such as new drugs and vaccines. This course offers a good opportunity for those who plan to work as lab or insectary technicians or as fieldworkers, or for those who wish to pursue a PhD degree.

Testimonials

I felt the course convenor was very clear from the start on the planning and what we should expect from the course - a more applied approach of using molecular techniques to solving key tropical diseases rather than the basic molecular biology.

The practicals were very cutting edge and you could see how they could be applied to current research in the field

Always good to be taught by experts in the field

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Start date	End date	Home fee	Overseas fee
10 January 2022	4 February 2022	£2,500	£2,500	Apply

Start date:
10 January 2022

End date:
4 February 2022

Home fee:
£2,500

Overseas fee:
£2,500

Apply

Key Aspects in Molecular & Cellular Biology of Parasites and Vectors