Advanced Topics in Evolutionary Microbiology
Module title | Advanced Topics in Evolutionary Microbiology |
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Module code | BIOM420 |
Academic year | 2023/4 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff | Dr Mario Recker (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 10 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 15 |
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Module description
Microorganisms are ubiquitous in nature and affect almost all parts of our everyday life. Of particular interest to this module are those that interact with and can cause harm to other organisms in their environment, specifically those that act as hosts to these microbes, The interactions between harmful microorganisms, or pathogens, with their hosts are dynamic, complex, and in many cases still not fully understood. As any other organism, pathogens aim to survive and reproduce, but in doing so, they can incur significant fitness costs on their hosts. Hosts, in response, have evolved various mechanisms to defend against pathogens, exerting selection pressure on the pathogens and leading to further evolutionary change. The main aim of this module is to provide you with an in-depth overview of the causes and consequences of microbial evolution, how we study this and how we can ultimately use this information to develop new tools in our fight against disease-causing agents. Through a series of research-led lectures, discussions, and hands-on practicals you will be exposed to a wide range of current topics related to microbial evolution, including host-pathogen coevolution, evolution of virulence, antibiotic resistance, genetic diversity, genomic parasites, and emerging infectious diseases. Emphasis will further be put upon modern approaches and methodologies employed to investigate these evolutionary dynamics, from genome sequencing and bioinformatic analyses, to laboratory model system, to computer simulations. The module will be delivered by a team of researchers working at the cutting edge of their respective disciplines at our Penryn Campus and will provide you with a broad ranging understanding of key principles, modern methodologies, and open questions in the field of microbial evolution.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module deals with the frontiers of Evolutionary Microbiology. The module aims to provide a synthetic understanding of the scientific processes in general, but in particular to provide an in-depth understanding of the wide range of aspects underpinning evolution of disease-causing microbes, or pathogens, spanning host-pathogen coevolution, evolution of virulence, antibiotic resistance, genetic diversity, genomic parasites, and emerging infectious diseases. Our attention to cutting edge approaches and methodologies used to investigate pathogen evolution spans genetic sequences and sequence analysis, phylogenetic comparative analysis, evolutionary model system, and mathematical modelling. You will first be introduced to these topics and methods and then skilled in how they relate to research at the frontiers of our current understanding in pathogen evolution.
This module will ensure that you will have the appropriate understanding of the theoretical and practical principles underlying microbial evolution, in particular those that are relevant to your research project. The main aim of this module is to provide you with the ability to critically assess current scientific literature and methodologies across the field, which will greatly facilitate the planning and execution of your independent research project. The module will also equip you very well for a future research-oriented career.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Describe, fully and systematically, key concepts and approaches in pathogen evolution
- 2. Critically and independently assess the research area
- 3. Conduct a literature review of a current research topic in the research areas covered
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Discuss ideas and construct coherent arguments (both in writing and orally) based on their independent and critical assessment of the discipline
- 5. Solve practical and theoretical problems in evolutionary biology
- 6. Critically assess scientific literature
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Professionally present new ideas and results (both in writing and orally)
- 8. Prioritise, generate, and summarise data relevant to the testing of rational hypotheses
- 9. Present written reports in a clear, concise, and logical manner
- 10. Think critically, and critically appraise and logically solve problems
Syllabus plan
Taught content
The module will include lectures and group discussions on the frontiers of our knowledge in key fields in Pathogen Evolution. Topics may change, but will typically include the following:
- Host-parasite Interactions and Co-evolution
- Evolution of Virulence
- Mechanisms and Effect of Genetic / Antigenic Diversity
- Pathogen Population Structure
- Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
- Genomic Parasites (Transposable Elements, Retroviruses)
- Role of Host Microbiota in Disease Ecology and Evolution
- Infectious Disease Emergence and Surveillance
- Pathogen Evolution in Natural Populations
Practical activities
The module will also include a strong practical component, focussed on key approaches in Pathogen Evolution. Topics may change, but will typically include the following:
- Genetic Sequencing
- Utilising Sequence Data
- Experimental Evolution
- Evolutionary Quantitative Genetic Analysis
- Mathematical Modelling
The module will be delivered with face-to-face lectures, seminars and practicals.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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60 | 240 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 20 | Lectures |
Scheduled learning and teaching activities | 40 | Interactive discussion and practicals |
Guided independent study | 240 | Additional research, reading and preparation for module assessments |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Short answer questions during lectures and practical sessions | Ongoing throughout the module | 1-10 | Oral |
Discussion during classes | Ongoing throughout the module | 1-10 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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70 | 0 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Essay in news and views format | 30 | Up to 1500 words | 1-10 | Written |
Research talk | 30 | 12 minutes | 1-8, 10 | Written |
Grant application | 40 | Up to 1500 words | 1-10 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Essay in news and views format | Essay in news and views format | 1-10 | Referral/deferral period |
Research talk | Research talk | 1-8, 10 | Referral/deferral period |
Grant application | Grant application | 1-10 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to redo the relevant assessment. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
The module will draw extensively on primary published research papers in peer-reviewed journals.
The following would serve as excellent background reading to support the learning in key areas:
- Prescott’s Microbiology (McGraw Hill, 11th edition)
- Brock Biology of Microorganisms (Pearson, 15th edition)
Credit value | 30 |
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Module ECTS | 15 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 7 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 07/12/2023 |
Last revision date | 07/12/2023 |