This course covers the theoretical aspect of diagnosis of microbial diseases and chemotherapy. It is a blend of Clinical Microbiology and antibiotic isolation from soil bacteria. This new initiative does not only remove or reduce the element of stereotypes and traditional teaching methods; it also adds an exciting element of research and search for solution to the antibiotic crisis. Most diseases in humans are caused by microbes which are increasingly becoming resistant to drugs that were previously effective against them. Topics to be covered include, but not limited to, aseptic techniques, soil sampling
techniques and culturing, media preparation, plating of samples, enumeration of bacteria, colony forming unit/g of soil samples, patching techniques for antibiotic screening, isolation of bacteria in pure cultures, gram staining, biochemical testing, PCR and genetic sequencing. The Applied Clinical Microbiology component involves clinical signs and symptoms of these diseases; proper methods for collection, transportation and processing of clinical specimens; reporting of significant isolates; quality assurance policies/procedures and laboratory safety.