Our department offers a highly interactive research environment conducive to collaborations on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research projects with others in our school, university and beyond, as evidenced by extramurally-funded center and program project grants.

Our faculty direct state-of-the-art cores such as the Flow Cytometry and Sorting. Our other shared resources comprise cutting-edge equipment and technology for Advanced Microscopy, –Omics (Genomics, Epigenomics, Transcriptomics and Microbiome technology) and Metabolic Profiling studies. We welcome you to visit us to see our equipment and resources first-hand.

Our faculty are recognized leaders in their fields. They are appointed to national and international grant-review committees, hold offices in scientific societies, organize conferences and serve on government-appointed panels and scientific journal editorial boards. They participate in teaching courses primarily for medical and graduate students, as well as for post-baccalaureate and physician assistant students.

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Medical Microbiology ( PAMB D650)

A seven-credit-hour, fall semester, second-year course covering fundamental and clinical aspects of microbiology and immunology as they relate to bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Infectious agents are discussed in relation to their morphology, biology, epidemiology and pathogenesis. The role of the specific and nonspecific immune systems in defense against infection and disease, as well as in the causation of disease (immunopathogenesis), is emphasized. A section of the course is devoted to special topics in infectious diseases. Primary methods of instruction include lecture, case-based discussion/presentation, patient-oriented problem-solving exercises, clinical correlations and laboratory. Modes of assessment include departmental written multiple choice examination and an assessment of participation in problem-solving exercises, case study discussions and computer simulated laboratory exercises.

Medical Pathology ( PAMB 641 and PAMB 642)

A two-semester, seven-credit-hour (PAMB 641 - fall) and six-credit-hour (PAMB 642 - spring), second-year course that provides students with an understanding of the basic mechanisms of diseases, the body’s response to these diseases and the manifestation of these changes in patient signs, symptoms and tests in specific organ systems. Primary methods of instruction include lecture and small-group discussion. Modes of assessment include a NBME subject examination and departmental multiple choice examinations.

Basic and Clinical Immunology ( MBIM 710)

This graduate level course covers immune system components, including the innate and adaptive immune system, their functions and interactions. Topics on immune system dysregulation and consequences as related to disease and health are included. Current topics of interest in immunology also are covered. Overall, students will gain an advanced understanding of the immune system. By the end of this course the student will demonstrate knowledge and understanding in: the components of the immune system and their functions. interactions between immune system components. immune system dysregulation and consequences. immune response during health and disease.

Frontiers in Biomedical Science ( MBIM 730)

In this course, students learn and understand the following topics: Apoptosis and its implications in neurodegenerative and malignant diseases

Proteomics in biomedical science

Basic concepts of stem cells and their roles in diseases

Roles of G-proteins in cell signaling in various disease processes

development of gene therapy approaches and gene therapy based therapeutics for basic and clinical applications A minimum of 4 students is required to conduct this course.

Neoplasia ( PATHO 710)

In this course, students learn and understand the following topics: Basic components of different neoplastic diseases and general pathology of neoplasia

Mechanisms of metastasis, oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and telomerase

AIDS related malignancies

Signaling pathways in cancer

DNA and RNA tumor viruses; apoptosis and cancer

apoptosis Stem cells and cancer

HPV vaccines; cancer epidemiology and chemoprevention;

Environmental carcinogenesis

Animal models in cancer research and cancer chemotherapy A minimum of 4 students is required to conduct this course.

Topics in Advanced Immunology ( MBIM 700)

This course is offered in Fall and Spring semesters, primarily to graduate students who have a background in basic Immunology. The format of the course is as a journal club wherein 2-3 papers will be discussed on a weekly basis on current immunology literature that has appeared in high-impact journals like Science, Nature, Nature Medicine, Nature Immunology, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, Journal of Experimental Medicine, Journal of Immunology, Cell and Immunity. The scientific paper discussion will include Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion and Bibliography. One of the most important aspects of this course is to train the student to critique research and to improve the quality of their research by incorporating novel concepts and techniques.

Experimental Pathology (PATH-711)