Cornell Micro&Imm Dept. Info

Department Information

History and Theme of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology

The Department of Microbiology was created in the Veterinary College in 1965 and was composed of former members of the Department of Pathology and Bacteriology. Disciplinary interests at that time were largely in bacteriology and virology. With the addition of new faculty, a significant focus in immunology developed. In 1986, parasitologists from the former Department of Preventive Medicine joined the department, and its name was changed to the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology. When the Department of Poultry and Avian Science was disbanded by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, faculty with interests in immunology and toxicology joined the department. Finally, the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology merged with another Veterinary College department (Avian and Aquatic Animal Medicine [AAAM]) in 1995 to create the present Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Faculty from AAAM brought additional expertise in virology, immunology and toxicology to the new department, which occupies space in two locations. Approximately 70% of the faculty are housed in the Veterinary Medical Center (campus unit) and 30% in the James A. Baker Institute of Animal Health on the Snyder Hill campus.

Currently, the Department of Microbiology and Immunology has 20 tenure track faculty. Disciplinary avocations are in immunology, virology, parasitology, bacteriology, and environmental toxicology, with the largest numbers of faculty working in the first two areas. Thus, the primary theme of the department is the study of infectious diseases and the host immune response to infection.

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology has a three-fold mission of research, teaching and service

Research:
Departmental research focuses on Pathogenic Microbes (Viruses, Bacteria, Eukaryotic Parasites) and on immunology and toxicology. Research and teaching expertise in these subjects at Cornell (Ithaca campus) is located largely or uniquely within the department.

The pathogens we study infect mammals (including humans), birds, reptiles, and fish. Even when the pathogen does not directly infect people, study of the disease it causes often serves as a valuable model for the equivalent infection in humans. Given the range of disciplinary and species interests represented in the department, it has been necessary to adopt a strategy to maintain and promote cohesion. In order to do this, faculty have been recruited who cross-connect to existing faculty at multiple levels.

We are studying the mechanisms by which pathogens infect, replicate, and subsequently cause disease in their hosts (pathogenesis). In addition, we are interested in how the host's immune system responds to infection and the resulting consequences; the study of the agents and the host response are intimately related. The toxicology portion of our program interacts with these infectious disease interests, by focusing on the effect of environmental toxins on the development and function of the immune system and other cellular functions such as apoptosis.

An ideal research project for a faculty member in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology would involve applying molecular approaches to problems at the cutting edge of science to generate fundamental knowledge, while making advances of real practical value. For example, investigating the details of the replication of an infectious agent in order to produce information and reagents with which to inhibit its replication and hence, provide an improved method of control.

We are fortunate to have modern specialized facilities and equipment for infectious disease research. Currently, our two largest concentrations of faculty effort are in viral pathogenesis and immunoparasitology. We recently recruited Dr. David G. Russell as a Professor of Molecular Microbiology, whose research focuses on mycobacteria. Members of the faculty interact intellectually through two seminar series, two journals clubs, and by joint mentoring of graduate students. The latter has included service as preceptors on several NIH and USDA training grants. There are also many informal interactions by which faculty contribute to each other's research programs. We collaborate extensively with other Cornell departments, both in our College and outside it, and nationally and internationally with scientists in about 12 countries.

Teaching:
Departmental teaching translates from the breadth of individual research initiatives directly to professional students by tutoring and lecturing, and to undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral scientists both in the classroom and laboratory. The unifying theme is disease-causing agents and host responses. We contribute to the professional curriculum through two foundation courses (Host, Agent and Defense, and Genetics and Development) and distribution (elective) courses in bacteriology, parasitology, and virology. We offer graduate courses for PhD candidates in the latter three disciplines, as well as in molecular toxicology. The teaching arena has provided the opportunity for joint scholarly activities. Several graduate and undergraduate courses are team taught, and the foundation courses in the professional curriculum are of an integrated multidisciplinary nature. Our undergraduate teaching is not mandated but is based on historical precedent. Thus, traditionally we have been responsible for infectious disease related teaching. Undergraduate courses in immunology, pathogenic bacteriology and mycology, virology (two), parasitology, and toxicology are currently offered. All but the latter course are the only ones available in their area to undergraduates on the Cornell campus. Approximately a dozen departmental faculty contribute to "Explorations in Biological Sciences," a program introducing undergraduates to biological research at Cornell. Nearly all laboratories have undergraduates participating in research on a long term basis and currently we have 45 such students.

Service:
We have a formal service commitment to the State of New York, funded by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, in support of the poultry industry, which includes disease surveillance and development of vaccines and diagnostics. As part of this effort, we operate the International Duck Research Laboratory on Long Island. In addition, some faculty perform diagnostic services, as they relate to extramurally funded research, in a variety of areas including avian, aquatic and feline medicine. A small portion of our research effort is directed to development of improved vaccines and diagnostics in non-avian species, and to drug testing. Several of our faculty serve as consultants to industry or government agencies.

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Last Revised on 12/1/99