Imperial College London

ProfessorThomasBell

Faculty of Natural SciencesDepartment of Life Sciences (Silwood Park)

Professor of Microbial Ecology
 
 
 
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Contact

 

+44 (0)20 7594 2268thomas.bell

 
 
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Location

 

MunroSilwood Park

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Summary

 

The Microbiome - LIFE96024

Aims

Microbes are vital but understudied components of all ecosystems. Recent extraordinary advances in microbial ecology, fuelled by new sequencing technologies, have resulted in a rapidly expanding field that has implications for a deeper understanding of the natural world. Microbiome research also offers enormous potential for applications to a wide range of industries, including health, agriculture, and industrial processes.  The course will summarise the key microbial groups, and describe the ecological and evolutionary ideas that underlie our understanding of microbial communities.

Role

Course Leader

Ecology and Evolution - LIFE40007

Aims

The impact of our species' activities on the world's ecosystems poses an existential threat to human civilisation. It is critical that biological scientists understand the processes by which the diversity of life on earth has arisen, interacts with its environment, and is maintained, so that we can critically evaluate environmental policy.

This module aims to explore how the planet's biological diversity is organised by ecological processes into ecosystems, communities, and populations. We also aim to develop your skills in statistics, experimental design, and practical field-work, and to continue to develop your writing skills. 

Role

Lecturer