Infectious Diseases

Our PhD/MPhil Infectious Diseases programme enables you to undertake a research project that will improve understanding of Infectious Diseases. Infectious disease research at Manchester is remarkable in the breadth and depth of expertise available, and the diversity of infectious agents studied make it truly unique on the global stage. Our research covers viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, and focuses on both the biochemistry and biology of the infectious agent and the host - pathogen interactions, especially at the level of immune responses to infection. Understanding such processes underpins the development of new anti-infective drugs to combat resistance and the generation of effective vaccines, both active areas of research at Manchester. The parasites we study include the protozoan parasites, malaria and toxoplasma, gut dwelling parasitic nematodes(whipworm, hookworm), tissue dwelling filarialnematodes, schistosomes and tapeworms, all of which can cause severe health problems in humans. Work on major fungal pathogens focuses on aspergillus and cryptococcus. Our research in bacterial infections includes work aimed at understanding the mechanisms of disease and preventative treatments against tuberculosis, listeriosis, salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter and meningococcal meningitis. Further, we have significant expertise in studying viral pathogens including the Zika virus. Our research is underpinned by state-of-the-art facilities providing training in cutting edge methodologies - for example, 16 colour flow cytometry, bioimaging and genomic technologies, as a well as a comprehensive range of biomolecular analytical equipment, ensuring rich research skills training within each project.

Students attend the university from over 150 countries around the world and there are various systems in place to help them adapt to their new life. The Student Immigration Team is a dedicated team in place to help with support and advice regarding immigration and visas and are based at the Student Services Centre. The student support centre is a single contact point for all students to help with matters such as finances, examinations, graduation and other matters. There is also help and advice on hand for matter such as integration into the community, learning English and making the most of the time in the UK. The centre of student life is the Students Union (UMIST), which formed at the same time as the university was created in 2004. It is run by an eight-member team rather than a single president. The athletics Union is responsible for the sports clubs within the university and there are over 80 health and fitness classes in addition to 44 sports clubs. There are around 250 societies and clubs in total across many areas of interest including a student run newspaper, radio station, a fundraising organisation, a volunteer project and across the arts and politics arena.