Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program

Microbiology & Immunology

Faculty Contact:

Microbiology: Victor Nizet (vnizet@ucsd.edu)
Immunology: Maurizio Zanetti (mzanetti@ucsd.edu)

The Microbiology and Immunology Track in the Biomedical Sciences Program is an interdepartmental program that draws on faculty from a number of different institutions in the La Jolla area. All interested Biomedical Sciences students take the BMS core course sequence in their first year and should consider doing laboratory rotations in laboratories associated with each program.

The Microbiology Focus Area draws on faculty from the UCSD School of Medicine, UCSD Division of Biological Sciences, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, and the Center for Microbial Sciences at San Diego State University. Microbiology is the study of bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and fungi. Much of our knowledge of classical metabolism, biochemistry and molecular genetics emerged from studies in microbial model systems. In the Biomedical Sciences Program, particular interest is focused on microbial pathogens that are the agents of human infectious diseases. Microbiology has once again entered center-stage in medical research as bacterial antibiotic resistance is on the rise, new viruses continue to emerge, bioterrorism has become an immediate concern, and novel approaches for combating infection are urgently needed. The Immunology Focus Area of is an interdisciplinary composed of faculty from the Department of Medicine, Division of Biological Sciences, and the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology (LIAI). The study of the immune system uses molecular, genetic, biochemical and developmental approaches to understand the biomedically important issues of autoimmunity, tolerance, allergy, immunodeficiency, transplantation, and cancer. Conversely, studies focusing on human disease pathogenesis often lead to insight into the fundamental mechanisms by which the immune response is regulated. Many faculty research programs now bridge the disciplines of Microbiology and Immunology to probe the specific interactions between microbial virulence factors and host innate and adaptive immune defenses. In this fashion, we gain a better understanding of the fundamental pathogenesis of infectious diseases and further development of vaccines and other immunotherapies.

In the second year of study, those students wishing to obtain more specialized training in Microbiology or Immunology take advanced courses, journal clubs, and seminar series and participate in specific teaching opportunities. Students choosing the Microbiology track enroll in the two-quarter series of Integrative Microbiology, which will satisfy part of the elective requirement for the BMS program. Similarly, students interested in Immunology select advanced course work in immunology. These programs are designed to provide an outstanding training experience for the study of the immune system, immunological diseases, microbiology and infectious disease. The goal is to provide a training environment that will encourage ambitious students to realize successful world-class research in microbiology and immunology.

The Immunology track deals with various essential contemporary topics in adaptive and innate immunity. It is structured to prepare students to understand the molecular basis of immune reactivity as it may apply to host defense against pathogens and, in converse, autoimmunity. The courses cover current understanding of major histocompatibility complex (MHC), antigen presentation and costimulation, tolerance autoimmunity and its regulation, the host-virus interface, and immunological memory and vaccination. Student’s active participation is required for most courses. For example, for several of the recommended electives listed below, students are expected to present a paper which involves discussing the results and casting the authors’ findings in a general framework. Over the years this formula has proven to be an effective way of interactive learning and a preparatory tool to critically assess new ideas in the field of immunology.

Program Faculty in Microbiology & Immunology

• Timothy D. Bigby
• John T. Chang
• Shane Crotty
• Antonio De Maio
• Peter Ernst
• Richard Gallo
• John C. Guatelli
• Stephen Hedrick
• Alexander Hoffmann
• Thomas J. Kipps
• Marianne Manchester
• Victor Nizet
• Eyal Raz
• Douglas D. Richman
• Deborah H. Spector
• Stephen A. Spector
• Joseph Vinetz
• Nicholas J.G. Webster
• Joseph L. Witztum
• Maurizio Zanetti

Secondary Track

• Jack Bui
• Pieter Dorrestein
• Pascal Gagneux
• Willis X. Li
• Aleem Siddiqui
• Christina J. Sigurdson
• David Traver
• Ajit Varki
• Elizabeth Winzeler

Emeritus Faculty

• Martin F. Kagnoff

Required coursework for BMS students

BMS students take a core curriculum that provides the foundation to allow them to specialize in any of the offered tracks, focus areas, or customized study. In the Fall quarter, "Molecules to Organisms" provides a systematic approach to current Biomedical Research, using analysis of selected topics to focus on the process of research discovery and its critical evaluation. "Seminar in Biomedical Research" includes attendance at one of the UCSD seminar series and is designed to provoke critical discussion of the presented findings and scientific approaches in a small group setting. BMS students also take short courses in statistical analysis of data and ethics in research in the third quarter of their first year.