Molecular Microbiology

[Abigayle Laurenitis]

Themission of MMI is to advance fundamental knowledge of human pathogens, host-microbe interactions and arthropod vectors, develop interventions to improve public health, and train scientists to conduct rigorous, ethical research while embracing diversity, inclusion and the unique experiences of all department members.

The 5-year PhD program allows students to focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive infectious and immune diseases, the opportunity to take courses focused on a specific research area, and to benefit from lab rotations, mentored research, and professional development.

Research in molecular microbiology employs genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to investigate fundamental biological problems including environmental sensing and cell-cell signaling, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, secretion, energy generation, and the bacterial cell cycle. State-of-the-art computational and comparative genomic approaches are used to study commensal, pathogenic, and environmental organisms in their natural environment.

Research in the molecular biology and biochemistry of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths and viruses, with an emphasis on mechanisms of virulence and host-parasite interactions. Applying a wide range of emerging technologies in molecular genetics and cell biology, this work includes the discovery and analysis of virulence-associated genes, the study of innate and acquired immunity to pathogens, and the identification and exploration of novel targets for chemotherapy.

Students in the Molecular Microbiology & Microbial Pathogenesis (MMMP) program will typically take five (5) to six (6) courses during their first year. Students will also participate in three laboratory rotations over the fall and spring semesters of Year 1 prior to selecting a thesis lab. Students are expected to complete the following coursework during their entire graduate education:

Molecular Microbiology and Pathogenesis

Special Topics in Microbial Pathogenesis

Students may select either course below:

Nucleic Acids and Protein Biosynthesis

Fundamentals in Molecular Cell Biology

Biotech Industry Innovators

Immunobiology I

Immunobiology II

Principles and Applications of Biological Imaging

Molecular, Cell and Organ Systems

Macromolecular Interactions

Molecular Foundations of Medicine

Developmental Biology

Chemistry and Physics of Biological Molecules

Modeling Biomolecular Systems I

Modeling Biomolecular Systems II

Genomics

Advanced Genetics

Computational Molecular Biology

Fundamentals of Computer Science

Students may select one (1) or more based on interest

Experimental Hematopoiesis Journal Club

Cell Biology of Extracellular Matrix Journal Club

Cell Motility and Cytoskeleton Journal Club

Ion Channels Journal Club

Molecular Mechanism of Aging Journal Club

Cancer Biology Journal Club

Genetics Journal Club

Experimental Skeletal Biology Journal Club

Current Research in Chromatin, Epigenetics and Nuclear Organization

Molecular Virology Journal Club

Current Literature in Microbiology

Tropical and Molecular Parasitology

Hematology/Oncology Journal Club

Nucleic Acids & Nucleic Acid Protein Interactions Journal Club

Student Run Molecular Genetics Journal Club

Genetics & Development of C. Elegans Journal Club

Classic Experiments in Molecular Biology

Seminar in Computational Molecular Biology Journal Club

In the spring/summer semesters of Year 2, students must pass a Qualifying Exam (QE). Following a successful QE defense, students will identify and finalize their committee and complete their thesis proposal by December 31 of Year 3.

In the summer and/or fall semesters of Year 2 after rotations are completed, students will select a thesis advisor and begin working in their thesis labs. Students will then select a thesis committee and complete their thesis proposal. Students will complete their thesis research, defense, and graduation over the rest of their graduate career. Most students graduate within five (5) to six (6) years of beginning their program.

MMMP graduates pursue a variety of careers. Most program graduates go into academia, but many find paths in industry, government, and other fields, like science communication, law, and business and entrepreneurship.

Our faculty, students and postdoctoral fellows conduct research in areas including immunology, autoimmunity, cancer immunotherapies, infectious diseases and vaccine development. We take pride in teaching our trainees critical thinking skills and providing them with critical tools and opportunities to ensure success. After completing their research training at SLU, our students and postdoctoral fellows secure prominent positions in academia, biotech and pharmaceutical companies.

We are a multidisciplinary department that uses cutting-edge techniques and technologies. We have an excellent success record in securing research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, private foundations and the private sector. The department benefits from a highly collaborative environment and outstanding core research facilities at the medical school as well as the wider University.

MMI is the home of several core facilities, including the flow cytometry core, Biosafety Level 3 Laboratories (BSL3), Animal Biosafety Level 3 facilities (ABLS3), animal imaging core and biological irradiator core. We also offer access to membership in other exciting collaborative centers including the Institute for Drug and Biotherapeutic Innovation, and the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences. Members of the department benefit from inclusion in the Siteman Cancer Center and have access to the nationally acclaimed Cortex Innovation Community, as well as to multiple local startup-supporting institutions that are part of the fast-growing, cutting-edge medical and biotechnology community operating throughout the St. Louis region.

Thank you for visiting our website, and I invite you to explore our department and learn more about our faculty, students, and research programs. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have.

Saint Louis University's Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) offers a graduate program in molecular and cellular virology and immunology leading to a Ph.D. degree. The program's goal is to graduate exceptionally well-trained researchers who are prepared for a career in academic science or biotechnology. Research in the MMI doctoral program is diversified. Areas of research emphasis include cell and molecular biology, virology and immunology.

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) integrates many disciplines concerned with the study of the transmission, immunobiology and pathogenesis of bacterial, parasitic, viral, immunological and infectious diseases of public health importance. Research is at the population, organismal, cellular and molecular levels.

Although a part of the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, a number of faculty have joint appointments in the Division of Infectious Diseases and the W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. We invite you to explore the MMI website to learn of cutting-edge research opportunities.

Professor of Public Health and Medicine; Alfred & Jill Sommer Professor and Chair, Molecular Microbiology & Immunology; Bloomberg Distinguished Professor. Casadevall bio Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Casadevall bio Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Casadevall Research Dashboard and Publications

Professor of Public Health and Medicine; Director, Medical Scientist Training Program; Cox bio Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Cox bio Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Cox Research Dashboard and Publications

Professor of Public Health and Medicine; Gilman bio Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Gilman bio Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Gilman Research Dashboard and Publications

Professor of Public Health and Medicine; Member, National Academy of Sciences; Member, Institute of Medicine; Griffin bio Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Griffin bio Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Griffin Research Dashboard and Publications

Professor of Public Health and Medicine; Associate Director of Global Health Research and Innovation; Manabe bio Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Manabe bio Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Manabe Research Dashboard and Publications

Professor of Public Health and Medicine; Margolick bio Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Margolick bio Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Margolick Research Dashboard and Publications

Professor of Public Health and Medicine; Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health; Quinn bio Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Quinn bio Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Quinn Research Dashboard and Publications

Professor of Public Health and Medicine; Sears bio Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Sears bio Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Sears Research Dashboard and Publications

Professor of Public Health and Medicine; Sullivan bio Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Sullivan bio Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Sullivan Research Dashboard and Publications

Professor of Public Health and Medicine; Thio bio Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health; Thio bio Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Thio Research Dashboard and Publications

Molecular Microbiology is a bimonthly peer-reviewed scientific journal covering all aspects of molecular microbiology. It was established in 1987 and is published by Wiley-Blackwell. The editor-in-chief is John D. Helmann (Cornell University).

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