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Summary

Course details

Course type:

Short Course

Mode of study:

Duration:

5 Weeks

Home fee:

£2560

Overseas fee:

£2560

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 - assessments 24-28 March 2025

For an additional fee of £95, you can be entered for full Academic Credits for this course.

60% - Written assignment - critical scientific report

40% - Unseen Examination - essays (answer 3 questions from 6)

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:

1. The use of recombinant DNA technology, molecular cell biology and biochemical techniques as research tools in parasitology, microbiology, and vector biology.
2. Surface antigens of pathogens and their role in invasion and survival in both the mammalian and insect hosts.3. The molecular and biochemical basis of antigenic variation and antigenic diversity in protozoan parasites.
4. Surface membrane enzymes and transporters and their role in acquisition of nutrients by parasites.

5. Invasion and survival of intracellular pathogens.
6. Survival and development of pathogens in their vectors and parasite-vector interactions.
7. Unique biochemical pathways found in parasites and their potential for exploitation as chemotherapeutic targets; empirical and rational drug design.
8. Molecular and developmental biology of insects and other vectors.
9. Molecular basis of insecticide resistance in vectors.
10. Molecular and developmental biology of helminth parasites; structure and function of the surface membrane/cuticle.
11. Unusual features of gene organisation and regulation in kinetoplastid parasites.
12. Organelles and subcellular compartments in parasites.
13. Molecular approaches used in the control and prevention of vector-borne diseases.
14. Molecular aspects of viral diseases, including those caused by arboviruses and coronaviruses.

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 their language skills. A full list is available on our website https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/english-language-requirements and https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/lstm-english-language-waiver-programme

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
17 February 2025	21 March 2025	£2,560	£2,560	Apply

Start date:
17 February 2025

End date:
21 March 2025

Home fee:
£2,560

Overseas fee:
£2,560

Apply

Key Aspects in Molecular & Cellular Biology of Parasites and Vectors