Molecular Microbiology Ph.D. Program
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About the Molecular Microbiology Program
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The Graduate Program in Molecular Microbiology emphasizes an integrated approach to the study of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. The overall objective of the Molecular Microbiology Program is to provide a rich environment of multidisciplinary training in research strategies and technology that will prepare the graduate for a career as an independent investigator in both the basic and applied biomedical sciences.
Major Ph.D. Degree Program Areas
Microbial Pathogenesis
This program area covers:
- Analysis of virulence factors, bacterial toxins, lipopolysaccharides, and outer membrane proteins
- Interactions of pathogens and their products with eukaryotic host cells (cellular microbiology)
- Antigenic variation
- Contemporary vaccine strategies
- Bacterial gene regulation (osmoregulation, quorum sensing)
- Bacterial export and secretion
- Genetic regulation of bacterial virulence expression
Virology
This program area covers:
- Enteroviruses (e.g. poliovirus, coxsackievirus, norovirus)
- Human immunodeficiency virus
- Flaviviruses (Zika virus, dengue virus, yellow fever virus, West Nile virus)
- Herpesviruses (KSHV, herpes simplex virus)
- Poxviruses (vaccinia virus)
- Respiratory viruses (influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, paramyxoviruses)
- Viral entry
- Viral replication and persistence
- Innate immune control of viral replication
- Virus and host evolution - genetics arms races
- Viral vaccines
- Viral and eukaryotic host gene regulation
- Signal transduction pathways
- Cellular and molecular mechanisms of human oncogenesis
Cellular and Molecular Immunology
This program area covers:
- Functions of natural killer cells
- Antigen processing and presentation
- Functions of T cell subsets
- Mechanisms of immune cell activation by microbial modulins
- Immunotoxin
- Immunoprivileged sites
- Mechanisms of inflammation
- Dendritic cells
- Tumor immunology
- Generation of antibody diversity
Going Beyond Lab Research
In addition to offering extensive training in laboratory research and technology, the Molecular Microbiology Graduate Program provides:
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- Advanced Coursework
Faculty members in the Molecular Microbiology Program offer advanced courses in:
- Medical microbiology and infectious diseases (including immunology)
- Molecular basis of microbial pathogenesis
- Microbial genetics
- Virology
- Viruses in human cancer
- Cell and molecular immunology
- Genetic manipulation of the immune system
- Seminars, Journal Clubs, Works-in-Progress Seminars
Participation in seminars, elective courses, journal clubs, and works-in-progress seminars contributes to each student’s success.
Meet the Program Director
“Overall, the research Program is dedicated to providing a superior level of training in biomedical research strategies and technologies related to the major principles of molecular microbiology.”
John Schoggins, Ph.D.
Professor
See Dr. Schoggin's Full Message![John Schoggins, Ph.D.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/graduate-school/programs/assets/faculty/schoggins-john-134362-380x380.jpg)
Contact the Graduate School
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Arnaldo Diaz Vazquez, Ph.D.
Associate Dean
arnaldo.diazvazquez@utsouthwestern.edu
Phone: 214-648-2527
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![Deborah Evalds](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.utsouthwestern.edu/education/graduate-school/assets/evalds-deborah.jpg)