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Biomedical Research (Bacterial Pathogenesis and Infection)
Training in the fundamental aspects of bacterial pathogenesis for a career in biomedical research.
Receive training in fundamental aspects of bacterial pathogenesis for a career in biomedical research
Discover the latest developments in bacterial pathogenesis and apply technologically advanced approaches to biomedical research questions
Develop your research expertise on two five-month research projects
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MRes
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Duration
1 year
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Start date
October 2023
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£19,000 Home
£40,800 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Course overview
Develop skills towards a career in biomedical research before specialising in bacterial pathogenesis and infection on this Master's course.
On this stream of the MRes in Biomedical Research, you'll build an appreciation of molecular approaches to understanding infection, immunity and antibiotic susceptibility at the host-pathogen interface.
Your training will explore both theoretical and practical elements of biomedical sciences, with teaching delivered through lectures and technical workshops.
Two research projects provide an opportunity to explore developments in bacterial pathogenesis and apply technologically-advanced approaches to biomedical research questions.
You have the option of choosing our general biomedical research stream, or one of eight specialisms. All of our biomedical research streams have the same course structure and each stream has its own tailored set of projects alongside a core programme of lectures, seminars and practical classes.
You should consider which stream is right for you according to your career aims and background. If an offer of admission is made, it will correspond to a specific stream. Switching streams is not possible once you have commenced your studies.
- General Biomedical Research
- Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care
- Bacterial Pathogenesis and Infection (this stream)
- Data Science
- Epidemiology, Evolution and Control of Infectious Diseases
- Microbiome in Health and Disease
- Molecular Basis of Human Disease
- Respiratory and Cardiovascular Science
Is this stream for you?
This stream is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in bacterial pathogenesis and infection research, whether it be in academia, industry or government. To date, the vast majority of our graduates have gone on to study for a PhD.
This stream specialises in bacterial infection biology and is based within the Centre for Molecular Bacteriology & Infection (CMBI), which was renamed as the Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology (CBRB) in Sep 2022. Please visit the CBRB website to find out more about group leaders and their research. Several other groups with interest in these topics also offer projects on the BPI stream.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
You’ll take all of these core modules.
Core modules
Compose a grant proposal, appropriate for submission to an academic funding body.
This will correspond to your research project(s).
You'll carry out two mini research projects, exploring some of the most technologically advanced approaches currently being applied to biomedical research.
You have a wide range of research projects available to you.
The projects available to you are determined by your chosen stream.
You can also choose projects from other streams, though you will only have priority within your own stream.
Example projects
- The role of astrocytes in cancer pain
- Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Effect of Experimental Pain on the Rat Grimace Scores
- Cellular and molecular mechanisms in the development of the burning mouth syndrome.
- COX-2 mediated autocrine signalling in primary sensory neurons
- Modulation of extracellular vesicle-induced inflammation by humoral factors in sepsis
- Monocyte-macrophage differentiation as a determinant of extracellular vesicle-mediated inflammation during sepsis
- Virtual Environment Therapy for The Improvement of Sleep in High Risk Postoperative Patients
- Targeting acid sphingomyelinase in microvesicle-mediated signalling in acute respiratory distress syndrome
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Demonstrations and seminars
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Workshops
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Computing labs
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Journal clubs
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Virtual learning environment
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Tutorials
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Lab-based learning
Balance of assessment
Key
- Grant writing exercise
- Research projects
- 10% Grant writing exercise
- 90% Research projects
Assessment methods
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Laboratory-based research
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Computer-based research
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Oral presentation
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Poster presentation
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Research reports
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Oral assessment
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
On the application form, you will need to select the Postgraduate Taught application category, and then Biomedical Research (MRes 1YFT) in the Academic Programme drop-down. You will then be able to select the stream you wish to be considered for.
BPI stream leads (Avinash Shenoy & Teresa Thurston) interview candidates for a spot on the stream.
You will be notified if you have been shortlisted for an interview after your application has been processed.
Online interviews are typically conducted in January, March and May of each year; apply early to secure a spot as we accept approximately 8-10 students on the stream.
During the interview you will have the opportunity to describe your past projects, research and placement experiences and tell us more about your interest in bacterial pathogenesis.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course:
- £80 for all taught Master's applications excluding those to the Imperial College Business School
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2023 entry
£19,000
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
2023 entry
£40,800
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount is £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Your future career
Acquire transferable skills relevant to a career in bacterial pathogenesis and infection research, whether in academia, industry, or government.
Develop the skills necessary to plan, conduct, publish, and obtain funding for successful research.
Expert leaders in the field provide practical training for a research career.
Our graduates often pursue further study in master's programs or doctoral research.
Further links
Contact the department
Course Director: Professor Tim Ebbels
Course Deputy Director: Dr Elizabeth Want
Stream Organiser: Dr Teresa Thurston
Stream Organiser: Dr Avinash Shenoy
Visit the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction website

Our students
Meet Biomedical Research students and see what they have to say about their studies.
You can also read more about our student achievements, including funding, publications and academic prizes.

Register your interest
Stay up to date on news, events, scholarship opportunities and information related to this course.
Register your interest


Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications