Module Directory

This module examines the profound influence microorganisms have on health and disease in the context of a changing climate. Microbes are present on every surface and in every breath, with most being harmless, but some posing significant health risks. By focusing on diverse microbiomes—from the human body to the wider environment—the module provides a comprehensive view of the role microbes play in health and disease.

Microorganisms are constant and essential companions, with bacterial cells in and on our bodies functioning almost like a quasi-organ. The COVID-19 pandemic vividly illustrated how new diseases can disrupt society. With climate change, the risk of zoonotic diseases (diseases that jump from animals to humans) and the emergence of novel fungal, viral, and bacterial pathogens is expected to increase. To address these challenges effectively, a holistic, interdisciplinary “One Health” approach is essential, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. A key factor uniting these elements is the microbiome, the ecosystem of microorganisms living in, on, and around us.

The aims of this module are:

• To provide students with an understanding of the role of microbiomes in health and disease.


• To introduce students to the One Health framework and its importance in fighting the threats posed by pathogens.


• To develop students' understanding of the role climate change is playing to accelerating the zoonosis, evolution, and spread of pathogens.


• To provide students with a theoretical grounding in the methods used to study microbiomes.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the role of the human and other animal microbiomes in health and disease.


2. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the role of environmental microbiomes (e.g. air, soil, water, plant) in health and disease.


3. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the “One Health” framework and critically evaluate its role in addressing current and future challenges in health and disease.


4. Demonstrate a conceptual understanding how climate change and other anthropogenic stressors are driving evolution and transmission of novel pathogens.


5. Demonstrate competence in critical evaluation of the scientific literature and written communication.


6. Critically evaluate how molecular methods are used in microbiology and to diagnose, treat, and fight disease.

Non-Essex Requisites

Erasmus/IP students must have already taken at least two modules at their home institutions

Indicative Syllabus information

This module will integrate across the One Health concept (environmental, animal, and human health) focusing on the key role that microorganisms play within and linking all One Health contexts.

• Host associated microbiomes:
  
  
  
  • Human microbiome
  
  
  • Animal microbiomes
  
  
  • Plant microbiomes
  
  
  • Cancer microbiome
  
  
  
  


• Environments:
  
  
  
  • The hospital environment and nosocomial infection
  
  
  • The airborne Microbiome
  
  
  • Microbiomes in the built environment
  
  
  
  


• The One-Health Concept and its role in fighting disease


• The role of climate change in emerging diseases


• AMR and the slow pandemic


• Molecular methods for disease surveillance


• Developing a grant proposal

2 hours contact time per week delivered as either: 2 x 1 hour lectures or 1 x 2 hour seminar per week.

Students are expected to undertake the reading before classes and be prepared to engage in discussion.

Students are expected to prepare and deliver one five-minute presentation at the middle of the module.

Students are expected to be active participants in the workshops and seminar. Activities will include discussion and development of ideas within small groups, presenting back to the class, and participating in large group discussions.

Topic 1: 5 x 1 hr lectures; 1 x 1 hr seminar, and 2 x 2 hr workshops

Topic 2: 6 x 1 hr lectures, and 2 x 2 hr workshops