Faculty of Science

Objectives

Molecular biological methods for the detection and characterisation of infectious organisms have revolutionised diagnostic microbiology/parasitology and are now part of routine specimen processing. The objective of the course is to provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge on molecular methods used in the diagnosis of infectious diseases and their applications.

Contents

Students will be given theoretical and practical exercise on the basic molecular methods used in the diagnosis of infectious diseases (Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real time PCR, Gene sequencing, DNA hybridisation, finger printing) and their applications in the diagnosis of infectious diseases. The Sensitivity and specificity of these molecular methods of diagnosis will be assessed in comparison with the gold standard microscopy.