Microbiology

354 Boyer Center for Molecular Medicine, 737.2404
M.Phil., Ph.D.

Director of Graduate Studies
Joann Sweasy

Professors
Sidney Altman (Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology), Norma Andrews (Microbial Pathogenesis), Kim Bottomly (Immunobiology), Yung-chi Cheng (Pharmacology), Donald Crothers (Chemistry), Daniel DiMaio (Genetics), Jorge Galán (Microbial Pathogenesis), Nigel Grindley (Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry), Margaret Hostetter (Pediatrics), Charles Janeway, Jr. (Immunobiology), Keith Joiner (Internal Medicine), K. Brooks Low (Therapeutic Radiology), Diane McMahon-Pratt (Epidemiology & Public Health), Robert Macnab (Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry), I. George Miller (Pediatrics), L. Nicholas Ornston (Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology), Curtis Patton (Epidemiology & Public Health), John Rose (Pathology), Nancy Ruddle (Epidemiology & Public Health), W. Dean Rupp (Therapeutic Radiology), Clifford Slayman (Cellular & Molecular Physiology), Dieter Söll (Molecular Biophysics & Biochemistry), William Summers (Therapeutic Radiology), Peter Tattersall (Laboratory Medicine)

Associate Professors
Serap Aksoy (Epidemiology & Public Health), Susan Baserga (Therapeutic Radiology), Michael Cappello (Pediatrics), Erol Fikrig (Internal Medicine), Durland Fish (Epidemiology & Public Health), Margaret Riley (Ecology & Evolutionary Biology), Craig Roy (Microbial Pathogenesis), Joann Sweasy (Therapeutic Radiology), Elisabetta Ullu (Internal Medicine)

Assistant Professors
Louis Alexander (Epidemiology & Public Health), S. P. Dinesh-Kumar (Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology), Roger Ely (Chemical & Environmental Engineering), Akiko Iwasaki (Epidemiology & Public Health), Christine Jacobs (Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology), Walther Mothes (Microbial Pathogenesis), Christian Tschudi (Internal Medicine), Liangbiao Zheng (Epidemiology & Public Health)

Fields of Study
The Graduate Program in Microbiology is a multidepartmental, interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in training and research in the study of microorganisms and their effects on their hosts. The faculty of the program share the view that understanding the biology of microorganisms requires a multidisciplinary approach; therefore, the Microbiology graduate program emphasizes the need for strong multidisciplinary training. The program is designed to provide individualized education in modern microbiology and to prepare students for independent careers in research and teaching. Students can specialize in various areas, including bacteriology, virology, microbe-host interactions, microbial pathogenesis, cell biology and immunobiology of microbial infections, microbial genetics and physiology, parasitology, and microbial ecology and evolution.

Special Admissions Requirements
To enter the Ph.D. program, students apply to the Microbiology track within the interdepartmental graduate program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences. An undergraduate major in biology, biophysics, biochemistry, microbiology, or molecular biology is recommended; the GRE General Test or MCAT is required.

Program materials are available upon request from the Microbiology Graduate Program, Section of Microbial Pathogenesis, BCMM 354F, Yale University, New Haven CT 06536.

Special Requirements for the Ph.D.
Course work generally occupies the first two years of study. Each student, together with a faculty committee, outlines a course of study tailored to the individual's background and career goals. A program of course work may include general microbiology, virology, parasitology, and/or microbial genetics, as well as complementary courses in such areas as epidemiology, cell biology, immunology, biochemistry, genetics, ecology, vector biology, and statistics. The program also sponsors journal clubs and seminars in microbiology and related areas. All students participate in three laboratory rotations (MBIO 670a and b and 671a), with different faculty members, in their area of interest. Laboratory rotations assure that students quickly become familiar with the variety of research opportunities available in the program. An individualized qualifying exam on topics selected by each student, in consultation with the faculty, is given before the end of the second year. Students then undertake an original research project under the direct supervision of a faculty member. In the third year, students organize their thesis committee and prepare a dissertation prospectus, which is submitted to the Graduate School after approval by their committee. The student is then admitted to candidacy. Upon completion of the student's research project, the Ph.D. requirements conclude with the writing of a dissertation and its oral defense.

An important aspect of graduate training in microbiology is the acquisition of teaching skills through participation in courses appropriate for the student's scientific interests. These opportunities can be drawn from a diverse menu of lecture, laboratory, and seminar courses given at the undergraduate, graduate, and medical school level. Ph.D. students are expected to participate in two terms (or the equivalent) of teaching. Students are not permitted to teach during their first year.

Master's Degree
M.Phil. See Graduate School requirements. Although the program does not formally offer a master's degree, students who have been admitted to candidacy qualify for an M.Phil.

Courses
MBIO 601a and b, Seminal Papers on the Foundations of Modern Microbiology. Norma Andrews, Peter Tattersall. W 5–6.30
A required course for Microbiology first- and second-year students; not for credit. Students present and discuss papers describing fundamental discoveries in areas related to Microbiology. The goal is to familiarize students with the process of scientific discovery, and with the history of major developments in the field. Topics include important discoveries involving major human pathogens, fundamental processes in molecular biology, and the development of technology that had a major impact in current biomedical research. Wednesdays: September 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20. March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23.

MBIO 642a, Roles of Microorganisms in the Living World. L. Nicholas Ornston, Diane McMahon-Pratt, Robert Macnab. TTh 11.30–12.45
A topical course exploring the biology of microorganisms. Emphasis on mechanisms underlying microbial adaptations and how they influence biological systems. Prerequisites: biology, chemistry, biochemistry. Also EMD 642a, GENE 642a, MB&B 642a, MCDB 642a.

MBIO 664b, Biology of Parasitic Protozoa and Helminths. Serap Aksoy, Curtis Patton. TTh 3
Human diseases caused by eukaryotic parasites are the most prevalent in the world. They are also important causes of mortality. Malaria alone is the leading killer of children under the age of five. This course focuses on the epidemiology, developmental biology, and cellular and molecular biology of the major eukaryotic parasites. We discuss the impact of these organisms on health in developing countries and also touch on the role of selected parasites on disease burden in the United States. The format consists of two one-hour lectures a week and a total of three laboratory demonstrations. Also EMD 664b.

MBIO 670a,b, Laboratory Rotation. Joann Sweasy.
Rotation in three laboratories. Required for all first-year graduate students.

MBIO 680a,b, Advanced Topics in Molecular Parasitology. Diane McMahon-Pratt, Curtis Patton, Christian Tschudi. F 12–1.30
A broadly based seminar course on current research topics in cell and molecular parasitology, with topics chosen from the current literature. Also EMD 680a,b.

MBIO 734a, Molecular Biology of Animal Viruses. Daniel DiMaio, Peter Tattersall, Walther Mothes. WF 9.30–10.45
Lecture course with emphasis on mechanisms of viral replication, oncogenic transformation, and virus-host cell interactions. Also GENE 734a.

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