Welcome from the Chair
Welcome to our departmental web pages. As you follow the various links you will find that the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology is involved in research and teaching that broadly relates to the dynamic interaction between microbial pathogenesis and host defense. In this context, departmental expertise and interests include:
- mechanisms underlying the diversification of immune response
- virus-induced demyelination and the study of immune factors involved in the development of virus-associated pathology and clinical disease
- the study of HIV and prion infectious processes
- molecular approaches to the epidemiological tracking of clinically-important pathogens
- genomic approaches to detecting problem microorganisms and understanding their mechanisms of pathogenesis
- molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance especially related to fluroquinolones and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in clinical isolates
- the use of in vitro and in vivo approaches to evaluate the efficacy of new antimicrobial agents
- nematode parasitology especially focused on anthelmintic resistance in tropical parasitic infections of humans (e.g., Caenorhabditis elegans) which are closer to the United States than ever before.
- the pathogenesis and molecular biology of the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis the causative agent of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide.
Translational research (i.e., basic science linked to clinical application) has been a tradition in the department for over 20 years and is facilitated by the potential for close interaction with infectious disease faculty who hold secondary appointments in the department.
State of the art “core” facilities are available to support department efforts. One of the most notable examples is our Flow Cytometry Core Facility which includes a Bio-Rad ZE5 (Yeti) Cell Analyzer and Invitrogen Bigfoot Spectral Cell Sorter.
In addition, our sequencing facility is available for microbial genome analysis with both basic research and clinical applications.
The Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology is a growing and enthusiastic group of individuals (faculty, staff, post-docs, and students) working in an environment where a conscious effort is made to facilitate both individual and collective achievement. Our success in this area can be measured, in part, by the selected publications and presentations noted by faculty on their individual web pages referenced above.
Individuals desiring to know more about the Department are encouraged to contact us as indicated on the Department Information page.
Professor & Chair, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology
Associate Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs
