Medical Microbiology faculty members provide a comprehensive range of diagnostic tests and are organized into specialty sections that are staffed by highly skilled clinical laboratory scientists.
In the bacteriology section, aerobic and anaerobic organisms from human body fluids and tissues are identified. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is performed using automated and manual methods. Mycobacteria species are identified using traditional culture and molecular methods and susceptibility testing is performed on first-line drugs used to treat M. tuberculosis.
In the mycology area, direct examinations, culture, biochemical and MALDI-TOF-MS methods are used to identify clinically relevant fungi and yeast. Parasitology specimens are processed using direct and concentration procedures and evaluated using wet mounts and permanent stains.
In the virology section, direct tests, cell culture techniques and molecular methods are used to identify and quantify viral pathogens. Methods have been incorporated into the serology section to detect antibodies and antigens important to the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. The medical microbiology group is committed to emphasizing clinical applicability, accurate and rapid results and cost effectiveness.
The faculty members with an immunology research focus seek to define and understand how the immune system effectively prevents disease by microbial infection or oncogenic transformation, while at the same time avoids damaging self-tissues. Many are using this knowledge to develop novel and effective disease prevention and therapeutic measures. The students enrolled in the immunology program will gain a thorough understanding of these processes in humans as well as in comparative animal models. The training includes recommended course work and research rotations in the laboratories of associated investigators, in addition to an Immunology Journal Club and weekly Seminars in Immunology hosted by the Institute for Immunology. Student fellowship opportunities are available through several NIH-sponsored training grants.
The Biology of Infectious Disease research interest group encompasses diverse experimental systems, including parasites, bacteria, fungi, viruses and disease vectors. The faculty members present a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of infectious disease and microbial pathology. Faculty research involves the study of bacterial pathogens such asBorrelia and Chlamydia, the protozoan agents of malaria, toxoplasmosis and sleeping sickness (Plasmodium, Toxoplasma and Trypanosoma), the viral pathogens Dengue virus and HIV, and the tick (Ixodes) and mosquito (Anopheles and Aedes) insect vectors that spread human pathogens that cause malaria, Lyme disease and Dengue fever.