Research Training in the
Molecular Basis of Infectious Disease
(MBID)
Program Overview
Faculty
Undergraduate
Summer Research Program Ph.D Fellowships
Summer research projects for undergraduates and Ph.D. fellowships in
Infectious Disease Research are available within the world-famous
The
Molecular Basis of Infectious Disease (MBID) research training grant is an
NIH-supported project consisting of 16 faculty mentors from three
The
overall purpose of the MBID training program is to provide the trainees:
1)
an optimal environment for training new scientists in the latest concepts and
techniques in microbiological research
2)
a better understanding of current challenges in clinical infectious diseases
3)
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
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 invasive 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
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
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
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
George M.
Weinstock, Ph.D. – Genomics
and bacterial pathogenesis
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 2008 Undergraduate Research Program will
extend from May 27th to August 1st.
Students receive a $2,500 stipend.
To apply, students should:
- Go
to the UT
Medical School Summer Research Program Website and fill out an
application form. (Please indicate
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.
Because the MBID program has separate funding,
applications will be accepted until March 31 (after the deadline stated on the
UT
The MBID Training Grant currently sponsors two
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
Candidates for MBID Training Grant positions will
be reviewed and appointed annually.
Please contact Dr. Norris
for more information.