Masters degrees by research are useful for many careers which include elements of research but which do not specifically require a PhD (e.g. in the commercial sector). These Masters degree programmes also offer the chance to experience what it would be like to study for a full PhD if you are unsure whether a PhD is right for you in the first instance. Perhaps most importantly, a Masters qualification may be useful for those who wish to study for a PhD but whose graduate qualifications are not appropriate.The microbiology and cell biology research group endeavours to understand the roles of microbes and host responses in health and infectious or malignant disease. This includes- Characterising and controlling oral biofilms (including metagenomic and transcriptomic analysis) to understand function as well as composition, mathematical modelling to predict biofilm behaviour, antimicrobial treatment of biofilms (including photodynamic treatment), manipulation of biofilm behaviour, development of antimicrobial materials. Understanding the role of the oral microbiome in health (and disease), particularly the roles of resident bacteria in regulating host cell responses, prebiotics and probiotics, and the environmental regulation of microbial pathogenicity. Cellular signalling (in particular the insulin-like growth factor, IGF, axis) and host defences in infectious and malignant disease these include antimicrobial host defence peptides (eg defensins, LL-37), NK cells and neutrophils.