W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Join a Tradition of Scientific Excellence

Students and faculty in the W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology talk about the unique opportunity to pursue their passions in the context of global public health. Learn More

Immunology

From our early pioneering work on vaccination and the immune responses to pneumococcus, typhoid, streptococcus, diphtheria and malaria, MMI carries on the tradition of applying modern immunological approaches to major public health issues. Learn More

Bacteriology

A primary component of the Department’s bacteriology research focuses on the resurgence of tuberculosis, particularly the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis as a major public health problem. Learn More

Virology

The Department’s virology program covers a range of investigative activities. Bringing together researchers with different perspectives on the viral world makes for a collaborative, stimulating and productive scientific environment. Learn More

Parasitology

MMI is committed to work that addresses the public health relevance of parasites, as well as the molecular biology and clinical significance of parasitic infections. A major research effort is focused on the protozoan parasites that cause malaria and toxoplasmosis. Learn More

Medical Entomology / Disease Ecology

MMI researchers explore population biology of mosquito disease vectors and their molecular interaction with human pathogens, such as the Plasmodium parasite that causes malaria and the virus that causes dengue. Learn More

Educational Innovation

With its new "R3" track, MMI is spearheading a novel, interdepartmental initiative to reform graduate science education: We aim to bring more critical and philosophical thinking, orientation on the norms of good scientific practice, and social responsibility into the training of life and public health scientists. Learn More

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) integrates many disciplines concerned with the study of the transmission, immunobiology and pathogenesis of bacterial, parasitic, viral, immunological and infectious diseases of public health importance. Research is at the population, organismal, cellular and molecular levels.

The central premise of this broad approach to the study of disease is that public health problems can best be addressed by understanding basic biological mechanisms. Our research aims to advance the understanding of the biology of disease and to use this knowledge to solve public health problems. Research takes place in the laboratory, in the clinic and in the field, as the faculty work to combat such enormous public health problems as malaria, sexually transmitted diseases, mosquito-borne encephalitis, tuberculosis, diarrhea, measles, AIDS and autoimmune diseases.

The Department is continually evolving to meet new research opportunities and the changing needs of public health. We remain committed to the conviction of the School’s founder William Henry Welch: Future success in public health and preventive medicine must rest on a firm base of scientific discovery.

Prospective Students

MMI offers three graduate degrees for students interested in issues underlying infectious and immunologic diseases: the research-based PhD and ScM programs, and the MHS degree.

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Research Programs

Our research programs focus on understanding the molecular biology, pathogenesis, transmission dynamics and control of infectious and immune-mediated diseases of public health importance.

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