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.