his assessment is an opportunity to research in further detail the application of assays based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) for specific bacterial pathogen detection in terms of diagnostic technology.

The application of these two assays to the clinical microbiology laboratory has revolutionized diagnosis in terms of speed and enhanced specificity. In this assessment you will choose one group of clinically significant bacteria for example, Staphylococci, Streptococci, Salmonella, E. coli, Pseudomonas (A complete list will be available on the Moodle site) and complete a 2500 word literature review on the application of PCR and MALDI-TOF technology in detection of these pathogens.

You will also be required to provide a background on the pathogenicity of your chosen bacterium and on the technical development of PCR and MALDI-TOF.

To achieve this you will need to:

1: Choose a specific bacterium from a list of clinically relevant bacteria which will be available on the Moodle site. If you are unsure of the suitability of your choice for this assessment, please consult with the unit coordinator. A comprehensive explanation of the defining features of each of the bacteria will be available through the learning materials provided during Week 2.

2: Research the literature relevant to your chosen bacterium. Scientific journal articles should form the basis for this literature search.

3: Prepare a 2500 literature review summarizing the application of both PCR and MALDI-TOF in detection of the bacterium protein, with appropriate citation to your sources of literature

Provide a succinct and detailed introduction of the chosen microorganism and both techniques, covering all aspects relevant to both the disease/s and the organism responsible.   Cover all aspects of pathogenicity including important virulence factors, toxins etc. Provide a succinct and detailed description of the selected studies including the methods used, the results obtained. Contextualise the results and quality assurance data presented. Provide a strong comparison of both techniques with a detailed discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of both techniques when compared to both each other and standard culture techniques and other assays.

Students will undertake analysis of case studies in clinical microbiology, designed to mimic true diagnostic microbiology laboratory cases. Students will be required to document their observations and findings in a laboratory workbook which will be provided on the Unit Moodle Site.  Criteria for assessment of the laboratory practical will also be available through Moodle.

Students will be assessed on their practicals skills including staining, biochemical testing and rapid testing techniques.

During this assessment students will work in pairs to present a recent high impact journal article (last 3 years) within the discipline of microbiology to the class at the residential school on the final day.  The presentation will incorporate information regarding aims, methods, outcomes and relevance to provide context to the paper's contribution to both the literature and to microbiology as a whole.

Students will work in pairs to prepare a 10 minute journal club presentation using a high impact paper in the field of microbiology from the past 3 years.  The presentation will summarise the following:

• Aims
• Key measurements
• Outcomes
• Impact and position within the literature
• Future directions
  

This assessment item is an oral examination which is comprised of two parts. You have the option to complete this face to face or via Zoom conferencing software. If you choose for the latter, it is a requirement that you have access to Zoom, a webcam and a microphone.

You will be required to answer:
Part A: 5 x short answer questions (to demonstrate memory recall). These questions will be worth 2 marks each = 10 marks; AND
Part B: 5 x longer answer questions (to demonstration interpretation of data/application). You will be presented with seven (7) questions and only need to choose only five (5). These questions will be worth 10 marks each = 50 marks.
Total Viva Voce is worth 60 marks.

Part A. This section relies on memory which is designed to contain short answer questions. Each of these questions will be worth two marks (5 questions x 2 marks = maximum of 10 marks)

Part B. This section relies on an interpretation and application of knowledge and contains longer questions. Each of these questions are worth 10 marks each with the breakdown of marks as follows.

Three key criteria will be marked in this assessment.

1. Relevance - The ability to deliver the correct answer(s) to the question in a comprehensive and succinct manner (worth 6/10 marks)

2. Coherence - The ability to logically sequence the response (worth 2/10 marks)

3. Overall organisation, expression and flow - Responses are well crafted and include a scientific/medical vocabulary. Responses are delivered in a confident manner using language targetted to a general audience. Responses are delivered with clear diction, appropriate volume and pace. (worth 2/10 marks)