Message from the Chair
2018 was a banner year for the Department. Our collaborative NIH P20 COBRE application entitled “Functional Microbiomics, Inflammation and Pathogenicity” with the Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Disease in the School of Dentistry was awarded, bringing $11.2 M in research support over five years.
Items of Interest
Graduate Programs: M.S., Ph.D.
Final Application Deadline: March 1
Full consideration Deadline: January 15
Faculty Highlights
Novel immune-based cancer prevention approach developed
In a recent publication in Cancer Research Drs. Shirwan and Yolcu describe a novel approach to cancer prevention using an immune therapeutic developed in their laboratories: https://insiderlouisville.com/health/preventing-cancer-uofl-discovery-holds-promise/
Plant exosomes remodel gut microbiome and host immunity
Dr. Huang-Ge Zhang’s recent publication in Cell Host & Microbe reveals how plant products and their effects on the microbiome may be used to target specific host processes to alleviate disease. This finding has already attracted significant national attention (SienceDirect and The Scientist).
Student Highlights
Students showcase Department at National Meetings
M&I graduate students represented the Department at the 2018 Joint Meeting of the Society for Leukocyte Biology and International Endotoxin and Innate Immunity Society. Amanda Pulsifer (Lawrenz lab) was one of three finalists for the SLB Presidential Award and presented her research at a plenary session. Katlin Stivers’ research (Hoying lab) was chosen for a “Poster Flash Talk”. Irina Miralda (Uriarte lab) won a SLB travel Award for her poster presentation. Finally, Hazel Ozuna (Demuth lab) presented her research at the Late Breaking Poster Session. Congratulations to all!
Departmental Events
Microbiology & Immunology Seminar Series
Neutrophil production, function and fate decision in infection and inflammation
Thursday, April 18
Hongbo Luo, PhD
Professor of Pathology
Harvard Medical School
and Boston Children's Hospital
Nutritional immunity in the inflamed gut
Thursday, April 25
Manuela Raffatellu, MD
Professor, Department of
Pediatrics University of
California, San Diego
First Tuesdays at 11am in CTRB, Room 124
unless otherwise indicated
Nutritional immunity in the inflamed gut