1. DEMONSTRATE ADVANCED RESEARCH-INFORMED KNOWLEDGE OF MOLECULAR MECHANISMS UNDERLYING THE PATHOGENICITY AND INTERACTIONS OF A RANGE OF PATHOGENS
Knowledge and understanding
Learning

2. CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE INTERACTIONS WHICH OCCUR BETWEEN HOST CELLS AND PATHOGENS DURING ADHESION AND INVASION, INCLUDING IMMUNE SYSTEM EVASION OR SUBVERSION
Enquiry
Analysis

3. INTEGRATE MATERIAL FROM A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT SOURCES IN THE GENERATION OF CONSIDERED SCIENTIFIC OPINION RELATING TO CURRENT RESEARCH ON THE MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Problem solving
Communication
Application

Academic Poster 30% 750 words
Critical Literature Review 70% 2500 words

Assessment 1 relates to learning outcome 1 and 2. You will create an academic poster reviewing a specified topic related to the molecular biology of infectious disease.

Assessment 2 relates to learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3. This written assessment is a critical literature review on a specified topic related to the molecular biology of infectious disease.

The topics for each assessment task and guidance on their completion will be available on the VLE at the start of the module. There will be an opportunity to submit other work for formative feedback prior to the submission of the first assessment.

This module includes study of the molecular mechanisms of disease caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, non-conventional agents, protozoa and major parasitic worms. Topics covered will include the examination, at the molecular level, of host surface-pathogen interaction, adhesion mechanisms of pathogens, entry mechanisms and invasion including cell and tissue damage. The physiological and other adaptations that enable a pathogen to survive within a host, from initial encounters with the immune system effectors through to full evasion of the immune response. The development, reproduction and sustainability of pathogens within their hosts are reviewed. Introduction to the major pathogens is reviewed initially and supported by your independent guided learning. Following the introduction, example pathogens will be selected to illustrate aspects of shared or unique features involved in molecular interaction between host and pathogen. For example, the evolution of the influenza virus has been heavily studied and an understanding of this research provides a good example of how this viral pathogen can maintain its pathogenic status through generations of humans and animals. Many parasitic examples provide a good choice for studying immune evasion strategies e.g. intracellular survival, survival in macrophages and antigenic variation. The module will finish with a focus on emerging infectious disease biology and an examination of molecular epidemiology research. Within the module you will have the opportunity to choose pathogens to focus on.

https://staffs.keylinks.org/#/list/5524
Salyers, A.A. (2010) Bacterial pathogenesis: a molecular approach
Nickerson, C.A. & Schurr, M.J. (2006) Molecular Paradigms of Infectious Disease
Dimmock, N.J., Easton, A.J. and Leppard, K.N. (2016) Introduction to Modern Virology (7th Ed.)
Knisely, K. (2017) A student handbook for writing in biology.
https://colinpurrington.com/tips/poster-design

The¿Masters in Molecular Biology¿by blended learning¿has been specifically designed for those¿that¿require ultimate flexibility with their learning.¿ The module will be¿hosted on Blackboard and you will have access to asynchronous¿lecture¿material¿and self-directed workshop material.¿ You will also be given the opportunity to join our¿on-campus¿cohort for synchronous delivery on 2 occasions per module¿- virtual attendance at these sessions will be encouraged but not mandatory.

Online material will begin each weekly session and key primary and secondary sources will provide the starting point for your reading. Workshop activities will develop in depth from a basic background through exploration of the numerous internet sources associated with molecular biology of infectious disease.

Within the VLE a discussion group will also provide for student-student or student-tutor contact. Additionally, via the Blackboard course pages, participants will find resources and guided material to direct and inform their reading, reflection, assessment, information gathering and critical appraisal.

You will need access to a computer¿with access to the internet.¿

The molecular mechanisms of disease caused by various pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi, non-conventional agents, protozoa and major parasitic worms will be investigated.