By investigating the transmission routes and behaviour of pathogens during infections, we aim to design better therapeutic strategies or vaccines to improve the health of humans and animals.Medical and veterinary microbiology involve the study of the agents responsible for causing human or animal infections, namely bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. This includes the study of the mechanisms underlying the virulence of the pathogen, diagnostics and identification of pathogens, pathogen epidemiology, and antimicrobial resistance.IntroductionThe Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences brings together leading medical, veterinary and basic science researchers from across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.Our research encompasses studies of the pathogenicity, diagnostics, identification, epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of a range of bacterial pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. We have strong groups working on zoonotic pathogens, such as Campylobacter spp., Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp.You’ll have the opportunity to use a range of research techniques on this PhD. These include pathogen culture and diagnostic identification methods, PCR and transcriptomic and genomic technologies. These include metagenomics, resequencing and genotyping cell separation, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, proteomics and infection models.Research in medical microbiology is based in new laboratories at five sites, the Ronald Ross Building, IC2, Leahurst, the Biosciences Building, and our research facilities in Malawi.Research topicsRelevant research topics in medical microbiology include:PathogenicityDiagnosticsIdentificationEpidemiologyAntimicrobial resistancePathogen transmission routes.