The Center for Immunology & Microbial Disease
The Center for Immunology & Microbial Disease has an emphasis on infectious disease pathogenesis and protection. The emergence of new pathogens, the increasing development of drug resistance and the threat of bioterrorism have combined to create an increased demand for investigations into the mechanisms of disease and the body's ability to combat these diseases. Specialized areas within the Center for Immunology & Microbial Disease include immunology, microbial and viral pathogenesis, and biochemical and genetic mechanisms responsible for human disease.
Of particular note is the Biodefense Research and Training Program within the Center for Immunology and Microbial Disease. This Program is anchored by a new $8.3 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) as well as an NIH Immunology and Microbial Disease Predoctoral Training Grant. Our Biodefense Program brings together a diverse group of individuals, including 17 faculty members and numerous predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees, with particular expertise in the fields of microbiology, cell biology, and mucosal immunology.
The Program is supported by a state-of-the-art Biosafety Level 3 laboratory and animal facility that allows the use of human pathogens in mice and is the only such facility in the Capital Region. The program has also launched Core Immunology and Microbiology Laboratories that provide modern instrumentation and technical support for cell analysis and sorting, immunohistology, immune cytokine quantitation, and preparation and characterization of bacterial stocks. The results of our studies will ultimately be used to evaluate new mucosal vaccination strategies and vaccine candidates against human respiratory infection with F. tularensis.
