The Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Emory is a dynamic research department of the Emory University School of Medicine. Our state-of-the-art research studies seek to discover fundamental aspects of the microbial world and how our immune systems protect us from bacterial and viral pathogens. We participate in medical school education and are responsible for teaching basic and advanced microbiology, immunology, and virology courses to PhD graduate students. Our faculty is fully committed to training the next generation of scholars, scientists, and physicians. Our faculty belong to four distinct graduate programs and are currently training approximately 30 students and 50 postdoctoral fellows.
Welcome from our Chair
The Department of Microbiology & Immunology (M&I) is a leader in biomedical research aimed at discovering the basic principles of how microorganisms (viruses and bacteria) function and how immune systems fight to keep these organisms at bay. Our faculty and research teams have strong expertise in exploring the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis for simian and human immunodeficiency viruses, herpesviruses, and influenza. We explore the ways in which sexually transmitted and other bacteria escape antibiotic treatment, how bacteria mobilize and colonize surfaces within the host, and how bacteria develop and differentiate as mechanisms for their survival. Using these and other systems, we also examine how immune systems can successfully protect hosts from infection and develop long-term memory that is useful for vaccine and therapeutic design to treat infection, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.
Celebration of Dr. John K. Spitznagel’s 100th Birthday and Seminar
On April 10, 2023, the department of Microbiology and Immunology celebrated the 100th birthday of Dr. John K. Spitznagel, MD, FACP, former department chair, with Dr. Jeremy Boss as the 25th annual seminar speaker.
Dr. Spitznagel is a professor emeritus of microbiology and immunology at Emory University School of Medicine and a former advisor to the National Institutes of Health best-known for his groundbreaking work in bacteriology and infectious disease research.
Dr. Boss spoke on, "Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of B cell immune responses."
Read More About Dr. Spitznagel
