Curriculum Tracks

Immunology

The field of Immunology brings together biochemists, molecular biologists and cell biologists to analyze a complex multi-cellular system that is exquisitely designed to defend against a myriad of pathogenic agents. Our immunology faculty focus on basic research into immune mechanisms at the molecular, cellular and organismal level. Strengths include: T and B cell differentiation, dendritic cell biology, antigen processing, vaccine design and in vivo models of immunity to infectious agents, tumors and autoimmune disease.

Microbiology & Microbial Pathogenesis

These Research laboratories investigate the molecular biological details of a wide variety of medically relevant systems. These studies focus on understanding the molecular basis of immune system function, the physiology and pathogenicity of bacteria and fungi and the basic features of viral replication and virus-host interactions.

Virology

Virus infections are a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and are responsible for many of the important diseases of humankind, including AIDS and several types of cancer. These laboratories perform broadly based research on both RNA and DNA viruses, including biodefense agents, respiratory pathogens, hepatitis viruses, tumor-associated viruses and HIV/AIDS; studies also focus on the use of viral vectors in gene therapy and vaccine development. Participating laboratories utilize state of the art molecular techniques, including real-time imaging, genomics and proteomics, to study the interactions between viruses and their hosts.

Research Areas

Biodefense

Faculty research focusses on a range of Category A, B and C Priority Pathogens. Studies include analysis of the pathogenesis of important bacterial and viral biodefense agents, comparative genomic studies on Vibrio species, genetic analysis of francisella tularensis, analysis of immune responses to such viruses as influenza virus (flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and the development and testing of new vaccines for diseases such as anthrax, botulism, and smallpox. Finally, in conjunction with faculty in several different Centers and Departments, there is a strong emphasis on respiratory pathogens, including Francisella tularensis, flu and RSV.

Cancer

Oncogenically transformed cells arise through a multistep process, and are normally subject to immune surveillance and elimination by the immune system. Cluster research focuses on two major areas:

1. virally-induced tumors, including cervical cancer (which has been etiologically linked to certain high-risk types of human papillomavirus) and liver cancer (which can occur after infection with certain hepatitis viruses), and
2. understanding of the immune mechanisms involved in tumor recognition and rejection.

Studies include translational research aimed at improved cancer therapeutics and/or cancer vaccines, as well as studies into the basic mechanisms of cell transformation.

Cell Biology

Microbes and viruses interact with host cells to induce alterations in cellular phenotype and function, thereby subverting host cell metabolism to meet their own needs. In addition, many microbes and viruses exert effects on the host immune response, so as to evade host immune control. Knowledge of the interplay between infectious pathogens and their host cells is therefore important, in order to identify potential new targets for drug therapy and as a basis for understanding microbial pathogenesis. Research focuses on various aspects of mammalian and amphibian cell biology including, cell to cell interactions, cell cycle control, intracellular signaling, differentiation and subcellular organelles.

Gene Therapy

Research on gene therapy includes the development and utilization of novel viral vector systems such as the Herpes Simplex Virus type-1 (HSV-1) amplicon vector, and other DNA and RNA virus platforms, including adenovirus and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. Applications include immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease and other neurologic disorders, enhancement of bone engraftment, modulation of deleterious immune responses, and vaccine delivery. Other studies focus on the use of gene transfer techniques to improve immune responses to cancer.

Genomics

Microbes and viruses interact with their immediate environment and in doing so alter the expression of their own genes or those of the host. The faculty in the Cluster study the change in gene expression at a global level and examples include the changes in bacterial gene expression in biofilms and dental caries, alterations in host gene expression in response to the oncogenic viral proteins, cytokine changes associated with immune cell differentiation, and the comparative genomics of Vibrio cholerae species. These studies are enhanced by the University of Rochester's state of the art Functional Genomics Center (http://fgc.urmc.rochester.edu/), which coordinates shared microarray and genomics related activities for some 39 institutions in New York State (http://www.amdec.org).

Molecular Biology

Research laboratories affiliated with the IMV cluster investigate the molecular biological details of a wide variety of medically relevant systems. These studies focus on understanding the molecular basis of immune system function, the physiology and pathogenicity of bacteria and fungi and the basic features of viral development and virus-host interactions.

Pathogenesis

An important weapon in the battle of infectious diseases is a basic understanding of the mechanisms of pathogenesis of infectious agents and the interaction of the pathogen with the host. A major research goal of the IMV program is therefore to examine the mechanisms by which pathogenic microorganisms cause disease, using an interdisciplinary approach that involves scientists trained in microbiology, virology, molecular biology, and host defense.

Vaccine Biology

Vaccines represent perhaps the most cost-effective approach to improving human health and well-being, saving tens of millions of lives each year. However, there remains a pressing need for new and improved vaccines for medically important microbial pathogens such as RSV, HIV and human papillomavirus (to name a few). Research focuses on (1) basic mechanisms involved in the generation of pathogen-specific immune responses (including innate and adaptive immune responses, antigen presentation and dendritic cell function) as well as on (2) translationally-oriented studies that involve the derivation and testing of novel vaccines and/or vaccine delivery systems. The latter studies include the development of novel assay methods for the quantitative analysis of immune responses to microbial pathogens and vaccines, at the single cell level.