Microbial Pathogenesis is the study of the molecular mechanisms used by microbes to cause disease in humans and animals. Bacterial, protozoan, fungal, and viral pathogens have evolved a wide variety of tools to establish themselves in the host and gain nutrients, which also cause damage and disease. Other mechanisms of pathogenesis include host defense evasion. To understand the complex processes used by microbial pathogens, microbiologists employ all the tools of modern molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and biophysics. Understanding how microbes cause disease is often the first step toward the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Opportunities for research training in Microbial Pathogenesis at VCU are provided by an interactive group of well funded investigators from several departments including Microbiology & Immunology. Research activities are enhanced by state of the art facilities at MCV for DNA sequence analysis, molecular biology supplies, and electron microscopy. Researchers here are studying a wide array of infectious organisms including:

• Bacterial Pathogens ( Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas , obligate anaerobes, spirochetes, gonococci)
• Protozoan Pathogens (free-living amebae, trypanosomes)
• Viral Pathogens (herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B virus and bacteriophage)
• Fungal Pathogens (Cryptococcus, Pneumocystis)

The Interdisciplinary Program in Molecular Microbial Pathogenesis builds on the graduate programs of each department. Students completing the program through the Department of Microbiology & Immunology will also have a strong foundation in biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and infectious diseases.

NIH Training Grant Supported

A NIH Training Grant for pre- and postdoctoral students supports the most outstanding PhD students for "Training in Molecular Pathogenesis of Microbial Diseases." Faculty participating in the T32-NIAID Training Program include: Dennis Ohman (Director), Gordon Archer (co-director), Stuart Adler, Gregory Buck, Cynthia Cornelissen, Philip Hylemon, Frank Macrina, Francine Marciano-Cabral, Richard Marconi, and Darrell Peterson.

Research Areas

Participating MCV-VCU researchers in Molecular Microbial Pathogenesis cover a wide array of topical areas and from several departments including:

Microbiology & Immunology

• Gregory A. Buck - parasitology
• Guy Cabral - virology
• Francine Marciano-Cabral - parasitology
• Jason A. Carlyon - bacteriology
• Gail E. Christie - bacteriology and virology
• Cynthia Cornelissen - bacteriology
• Phillip B. Hylemon - bacteriology
• Kimberly Jefferson - bacteriology
• Richard T. Marconi - bacteriology
• Anthony Nicola - virology
• Dennis E. Ohman - bacteriology

Internal Medicine

• Gordon Archer - bacteriology
• Stuart Adler - virology

Biochemistry

• Darrel Peterson - virology

Dental School

• Francis L. Macrina - bacteriology
• Todd Kitten - bacteriology

Veterans Affairs Medical Center

• Dennis E. Ohman - bacteriology

Pediatrics

• Michael McVoy - virology

Courses

See the previous page for links to a typical schedule for a Ph.D. student in Microbiology & Immunology . Courses specifically for students focusing on microbial pathogenesis include:

MIC 515 Principles of Molecular Microbiology

MIC 618 Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis

MIC 616 Viral and Protozoan Mechanisms of Pathogenesis

MIC 607 Techniques in Molecular Biology and Genetics.

MIC 605 Molecular Biology and Genetics.

MIC 653 Advanced Molecular Genetics

Pathogenesis Journal Club

Pathogenesis Research Group

Application Information

Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate or equivalent degree prior to admission. The typical successful applicant will have taken introductory level courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics; advanced level course work in these disciplines is also strongly recommended.

You can obtain an online application form at: http://www.vcu.edu/graduate/ps/apply_options.html

For requests of printed application materials for the graduate programs in Microbiology & Immunology , please contact or e-mail the address below. For consideration for financial support, applications should be received by January 7 in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. The deadline for application is May 1 for a student to matriculate the following semester.

Mrs. Martha L. VanMeter
Enrollment Services Assistant
Virginia Commonwealth University
Dept. of Microbiology & Immunology, Box 980678
1101 East Marshall St., 5-051A Sanger Hall
Richmond, Virginia 23298-0678

(804) 828-9728
(804) 828-9946 - fax
eMail: mlvanmeter@vcu.edu

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Date Last Modified: 06/12/2008
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