Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology

Our Mission is to develop new approaches for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and immunologic disorders. Department programs are integral to the School's new Initiative on Infectious Diseases. Researchers use state-of-the-art technologies of genomics, proteomics and imaging to study the genes and proteins of the pathogens and their hosts to identify novel targets for prevention and therapy.

What’s Happening in Medical Microbiology and Immunology

A single genetic mutation may have made humans more vulnerable to cancer than chimpanzees

Jogender Tushir-Singh, Ph.D.

New Study published in Nature Communications by senior author, Jogender Tushir-Singh an associate professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, ‘Evolutionary regulation of human Fas ligand (CD95L) by plasmin in solid cancer immunotherapy’

“Humans have a significantly higher rate of cancer than chimpanzees and other primates. There is a lot that we do not know and can still learn from primates and apply to improve human cancer immunotherapies,” said Tushir-Singh. “Regardless, this is a major step toward personalizing and enhancing immunotherapy for the plasmin-positive cancers that have been difficult to treat.” UC Davis Health article »

Yolo County high school students gain hands-on experience in UC Davis research labs

Internship hosted by the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology introduces teenagers to academic research

Yolo County high school students

A collaboration between UC Davis and the Career Technical Education (CTE) program at local high schools is providing a unique opportunity for teenagers to learn about academic research and careers in science.

The 10-week internship started last year through a partnership between UC Davis and the Davis Joint Unified School District. Two schools were involved in the inaugural program — Davis Senior High and Martin Luther King, Jr. High. This spring, the partnership expanded to include the district’s Da Vinci Charter Academy and Esparto Joint Unified School District’s CTE program at Esparto High.

Students are mentored by faculty and staff from the UC Davis School of Medicine’s Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.

“The Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology is excited to expose local high school students to educational pathways and career opportunities in our ever-important field,” said Satya Dandekar, the department chair and a distinguished professor. “We are deeply committed to nurturing curiosity, knowledge and opportunity among young learners. Connecting with our local community in this way is one of the most meaningful parts of our work and mission.”

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