Research Training in the Molecular Basis of Infectious Disease (MBID)
Summer research projects for undergraduates and Ph.D. fellowships in Infectious Disease Research are available within the world-famous Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas. Our goal is to provide training in the latest technologies that will lead to a career in one of the most exciting and dynamic areas in science today
The Molecular Basis of Infectious Disease (MBID) research training grant is an NIH-supported project consisting of 16 faculty mentors from three Houston educational institutions: the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, and the Texas A&M University Institute for Biosciences and Technology. Currently, the program trains three Ph.D. students and eight undergraduate summer research students per year.
The overall purpose of the MBID training program is to provide the trainees:
- an optimal environment for training new scientists in the latest concepts and techniques in microbiological research
- a better understanding of current challenges in clinical infectious diseases
- the knowledge and tools to 'bridge the gap' between basic research and clinical applications
The basis of this training grant is the Molecular Basis of Infectious Disease group, which was first formed in 1996. MBID has developed into highly interactive group of over 100 faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and staff from the Houston area whose primary interest is in the molecular pathogenesis of bacterial infections. The 15 faculty members that form the core of this training grant have a record of high research productivity and extensive collaborations. They have mentored over 200 predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees over the past ten years and currently are mentoring 25 Ph.D. students and 29 postdoctoral fellows.
The training program is based on strong core curricula, 10 advanced courses in pathogenesis, an intensive and interactive research experience, monthly MBID meetings and retreats, seminars and journal clubs, and experience in translational research and clinical infectious diseases. A network of universities has been established to aid in the recruitment of promising undergraduate students into the summer research program and the MBID Ph.D. program. A major goal of the planned activities supported by this training grant is to provide undergraduate students and predoctoral microbiology candidates additional knowledge in clinical infectious diseases and translational research, thereby promoting the redirection of research toward the more rapid resolution of important infectious disease problems.
MBID TRAINING GRANT FACULTY AND THEIR RESEARCH INTERESTS
Steven J. Norris, Ph.D. – MBID Training Grant Director; Pathogenic mechanisms of spirochetes and other iinvasive pathogens
Peter J. Christie, Ph.D. – Type IV secretion systems in bacterial pathogenesis
Herbert L. DuPont, M.D. – Enteric infectious diseases: their microbiology, immunology, genetic resistance, clinical features, control, prevention, and therapy
Danielle A. Garsin, Ph.D. – C. elegans as a model host for understanding the genetics of bacterial infection
Magnus Höök, Ph.D. – Molecules of pathogens involved in adherence to host tissues, particularly the host extracellular matrix
Robert L. Hunter, M.D., Ph.D. – Modulation of the host immune response by mycobacterial cell wall components
Chinnaswamy Jagannath, Ph.D. – Mycobacterial vaccines; host & pathogen factors affecting intracellular survival
Heidi B. Kaplan, Ph.D. – Cell-cell interactions and signal transduction in bacterial differentiation and biofilm formation
Theresa M. Koehler, Ph.D. – Genetics, physiology, and virulence gene regulation in Bacillus anthracis
Michael C. Lorenz, Ph.D. – Understanding the molecular basis of fungal infections
Barbara E. Murray, M.D. – Antimicrobial resistance and molecular pathogenesis of enterococci and other Gram-positive pathogens
Pablo C. Okhuysen, M.D. – Human genetic susceptibility to infection
Timothy G. Palzkill, Ph.D. – Structure-function properties of b-lactamases; functional genomics
C. S. Raman, Ph.D. – Structural biology, signal transduction, bacterial pathogenesis, anthrax, botulism, nitric oxide metabolism
Hung Ton-That, Ph.D. -- Molecular assembly on the cell surface of Gram-positive bacteria, bacterial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions
Stephen K. Tyring, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A. – Role of Human Papilloma Virus and other viruses in sexually transmitted diseases and squamous cell carcinogenesis; antiviral therapies and vaccines
Rick A. Wetsel, Ph.D. – Complement components and their receptors: role in inflammatory reactions and protective responses against microbial pathogens
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Undergraduate students are invited to participate in an intensive, 10-week summer research experience. Each student will be given their own project and work ‘at the bench’ along side of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and faculty. The 2009 Undergraduate Research Program will extend from May 27th to July 31st. Students receive a $4,500 stipend.
To apply, students should:
- Go to the UT GSBS Summer Research Program Website and fill out an application form. (Please indicate in the first line of the Personal Statement that you are applying for the Microbiology/MBID Program.)
- Inform either Dr. Heidi Kaplan (Heidi.B.Kaplan@uth.tmc.edu) or Dr. Steven Norris (Steven.J.Norris@uth.tmc.edu) that you are applying for the Microbiology/MBID Program.
Questions regarding the MBID Undergraduate Research Program can be directed to either Dr. Kaplan or Dr. Norris.
The MBID Training Grant currently sponsors three Ph.D. students per year. Training consists of intensive instruction and experience in microbiology, host-pathogen interactions, and principles of translational research.
To be eligible, a student must fulfill the following criteria:
- Member in good standing in a Ph.D. graduate program, and completed their first year of study
- Ph.D. student with one of the MBID Training Grant Faculty
- Research project in microbial pathogenesis
- United States citizen or resident alien
Candidates for MBID Training Grant positions will be reviewed and appointed annually. Please contact Dr. Norris for more information.
