MicrobiologyBytes

Places to study at the University of Leicester are filling up fast:

Student application figures at the University of Leicester – named University of the Year for 2008-9 by the Times Higher – have rocketed. While applications nationally increased by over 7% – at Leicester applications are 16% higher than last year. That means that almost 20,000 students will chase 2,500 places at the University. Leicester has seen one of the largest increases in applications in the UK. In fact, over the past three years (2006-9) our applications have increased 49% – the 3rd biggest amongst traditional pre-1992 universities. This success is attributable to the strong research and teaching record Leicester enjoys and our very high student satisfaction record. Applications from Home and EU students for undergraduate study are up by 14% and overseas by 48%. Post graduate taught applications are also strong with an increase of 14% from home / EU students and 77% from overseas, an increase of 69% overall. Applications for postgraduate research are 37% higher than at the same point last year. In total, over 20,000 students study at the University of Leicester.

The good news is that in response to this, from 2010, you have not one but TWO choices to study microbiology at Leicester:

• Microbiology or:
• Medical Microbiology

You may remember that the University of Leicester was named University of the Year 2008 in the Times Higher Education Awards, and that we’re all happy bunnies. The good news is that from 2010, you have not one but TWO choices to study microbiology at Leicester:

• Microbiology or:
• Medical Microbiology

Can you afford not to find out more?

Vote here

When I’m not here blogging about the latest developments in microbiology, my day job involves teaching microbiology (and a few other things) at the University of Leicester. I blog about my education work over at Science of the Invisible, and I’m honoured that Science of the Invisible has been nominated in the Best Teacher Edublog category of the 2008 Edublog Awards. Voting closes on December 21st, and if you haven’t already done so and would like to vote for me (or even one of the other nominees ;-) this is the link.

While you’re there, why not vote in some of the other categories too.

The University of the Year scholarship package scheme – a series of Open Research Scholarships available to students from the EU and UK – will create a range of opportunities for funded PhD study. These scholarships are available across a full range of disciplines at the University of Leicester; science, arts, social sciences, law, medicine and the biological sciences. Those joining the scheme will benefit from a package worth over £17,000 each year including a stipend, fee waiver and research training support grant.

Find out more

Vote here

When I’m not here blogging about the latest developments in microbiology, my day job involves teaching microbiology (and a few other things) at the University of Leicester. I blog about my education work over at Science of the Invisible, and I’m honoured that Science of the Invisible has been nominated in the Best Teacher Edublog category of the 2008 Edublog Awards. Voting closes on December 21st, and if you’d like to vote for me (or even one of the other nominees ;-) this is the link.

While you’re there, why not vote in some of the other categories too.

My colleague at the University of Leicester, Dr Martha Clokie, has recently co-edited a two-volume book on how to work with bacteriophages. Ranging from the evolution of pathogenicity to oceanic carbon cycling, the many and varied roles that bacteriophages play in microbial ecology and evolution have inspired increased interest within the scientific community. The book pulls together the vast body of knowledge and expertise from top international bacteriophage researchers to provide both classical and state-of-the-art molecular techniques, including laboratory protocols and a notes section which details tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Volume 1 “Isolation, Characterization, and Interactions” examines a number of topics, including the isolation of phages, morphological and molecular characterization, and interaction with bacteria. Volume 2 “Molecular and Applied Aspects” examines bacteriophage genomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, along with applied bacteriophage biology.

Bacteriophages: Methods and Protocols, Volume 1: Isolation, Characterization, and Interactions
Editors: Martha R.J Clokie, Andrew M. Kropinski
Methods in Molecular Biology , Vol. 501
ISBN: 978-1-58829-682-5 (Hardcover)

Bacteriophages: Methods and Protocols, Volume 2: Molecular and Applied Aspects
ISBN: 978-1-60327-564-4 (Hardcover)

The University of Leicester has been named University of the Year 2008 in the Times Higher Education Awards.

Where better to study for a degree or a PhD?

Joseph Morley of the University of Leicester has been awarded the Society for General Microbiology Undergraduate Microbiology Prize 2008 – an award for best performance in second year microbiology modules. This prize aims to encourage excellence in the study of microbiology by undergraduate students, and to promote scholarship in and awareness of microbiology in universities.

The Society for General Microbiology (SGM) is the largest microbiological society in Europe. It has over 5000 members of whom 75% are resident in the UK with the rest in more than 60 countries worldwide. Joseph, who is currently working on his final year research project on marine cyanophages, was awarded a cheque for £150, a certificate and one year’s free undergraduate membership of the SGM. Joseph says he is delighted to be awarded this prestigious national prize.