Bacterial Genomes: Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacterial Pathogens (FutureLearn)

Bacterial Genomes: Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacterial Pathogens (FutureLearn)

What's antimicrobial resistance and how can we detect it? Explore the clinical relevance of AMR and the methods used to detect it. Explore the challenges of AMR and learn how experts work to address them. AMR is a public health emergency. Global projections predict the loss of nearly 10 million lives and up to $100 trillion lost in global production by 2050. According to the United Nations and the WHO, AMR requires immediate international action. On this course, you will explore the historical and epidemiological aspects of antibiotics and AMR, and recognise its clinical significance.

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You will explore the role of genomics in tackling AMR from research, diagnostic and surveillance perspectives, as well as the principles and practice of AMR Quality Assurance.

What topics will you cover?

  • Significance and challenges of AMR and the need for control of antibiotic use
  • Mechanisms of antibiotic action, resistance and evolution
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing
  • Molecular detection and characterisation of AMR resistance genes
  • Recent developments in genomic technology for tackling AMR

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe the clinical significance and challenges of AMR
  • Describe molecular approaches and techniques for the detection and characterisation of AMR genes
  • Identify the resistance profile of bacterial pathogens
  • Explain the principles and practice of Quality Assurance and Quality Control in AMR surveillance techniques, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and reporting
  • Explore the role of genomics in tackling AMR from a research, diagnostics and surveillance point of view

Who is the course for?
This course is designed for researchers and healthcare professionals interested in infectious diseases, epidemics and the problem of microbial resistance. It will help those with backgrounds in microbiology or bioinformatics to work together.
No prior learning is required, but it is recommended learners with no previous knowledge of AMR take the introductory FutureLearn course, Bacterial Genomes: Disease Outbreaks and AMR.

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