Immunology and Microbiology
The Department of Immunology and Microbiology offers diversified programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree and is actively engaged in individual and collaborative research in the areas of immunology, virology, and bacteriology.
Abstract
The Department of Immunology and Microbiology offers diversified programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Faculty members are actively engaged in individual and collaborative research in the areas of immunology, virology, and bacteriology. Current faculty research in immunology includes autoimmune diseases, cancer immunology, infectious diseases, lymphocyte biology, neuroimmunology, mucosal immunology, and immune regulation. Faculty research in virology includes regulation of viral gene expression at the transcriptional and translational levels, virus assembly, and innate immunity to viral infections. Bacteriological research includes investigation of the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis, regulation of bacterial gene expression during infection of eukaryotic hosts, ocular infections, drug delivery systems, structure-function properties of bacterial toxins, and mechanisms by which microbiomes affect animal behavior, human reproduction, and holobiont phenotypes. The Department consists of eight faculty members with primary appointments in the Department, as well as graduate students and post-doctoral fellows and administrative and technical staff. In addition, affiliated faculty in other School of Medicine departments as well as Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford Health System, Providence Hospital, St. John Health System and the Karmanos Cancer Institute participate in departmental activities.