Research 

Faculty Research and Lab Videos

The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is represented by a diverse, yet highly interactive, faculty devoted to excellence in research as well as graduate and medical education. Faculty research is supported by outstanding postdoctoral associates, graduate students and research assistants. Research interests of the faculty are described in the links below.

Microbiology

Andrew K. Dingwall, Ph.D., Associate Professor. Understanding the molecular, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involving chromatin remodeling and nuclear receptor signaling that govern normal animal development and cancer progression.

Adam Driks, Ph.D., Associate Professor. Molecular Microbiologist. Spore formation in Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus subtilis: roles in survival and pathogenesis, and defense against biological weapons.

Video: Anthrax and bacteria that form spores, interview with Adam Driks, Ph.D.

David W. Hecht, M.D.,  Professor. Molecular Microbiologist. Mechanisms by which Bacteroides fragilis causes serious infections and acquires resistance to antimicrobial agents. 

J. Paul O'Keefe, M.D., Professor. Clinical Microbiologist. Clinical infectious diseases. 

Karen L. Visick, Ph.D., Associate Professor. Microbial Geneticist. Vibrio fischeri-squid mutualism: a model for investigating symbiotic colonization by bacteria. 

Video: Symbiosis: bacteria and higher organisms, interview with Karen Visick, Ph.D.
Describes how a bioluminescent marine bacterium called Vibrio fischeri colonizes a specific tissue of Euprymna scolopes, a small Hawaiian squid.

Richard M. Schultz, Ph.D., Professor. Molecular Biologist. Enzymatic modification of histones and the regulation of gene expression.

Alan J. Wolfe, Ph.D., Professor. Molecular Geneticist. Cellular physiology and gene expression. 

Immunology 

Maskoor Choudry, Ph.D.,  Professor. Department of Surgery. Intestine immunity and epithelial barrier function after alcohol exposure and injury.

John Clancy, Jr. Ph.D.,  Professor. Immunologist. Stem Cells and regenerative medicine.

Manuel O. Díaz, M.D., Professor. Molecular Geneticist. Genetic abnormalities associated with neoplasia. 

Kimberly E. Foreman, Ph.D.,  Associate Professor. Tumor Immunologist. Notch Signaling in Breast Cancer.

Makio Iwashima Ph.D.,  Associate Professor.  Molecular & Cellular Immunologist. Cell biology of T cell subsets.

Clodia Osipo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor. Tumor immunology and investigating the significance of Notch signaling in breast cancer.

Video: The Immune System: T Cells, interview with Makio Iwashima, Ph.D

Katherine L. Knight, Ph.D., Professor & Chair. Molecular Immunologist. B-lymphocyte development and generation of the antibody repertoire. 

Elizabeth J. Kovacs, Ph.D., Professor. Department of Surgery. The effects of aging, gender and alcohol exposure on inflammation and cell mediated immunity.

Dennis Lanning, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor. Molecular Immunologist Bacterial stimulation of GALT development.

Phong T. Le, Ph.D., Professor. Immunologist. T cell development and aging.

Caroline Le Poole, Ph.D.,Associate Professor. Molecular/cellular Immunologist.  Autoimmunity and anti-tumor immunity to melanocytic cells.

Herbert L. Mathews, Ph.D., Professor. Immunologist. Immune dysregulation and homeostasis. 

Liang Qiao, M.D., Professor. Immunologist. Mucosal Immunity and Vaccine Development. 

John A. Robinson, M.D., Professor. Transplantation Immunologist. Immunopharmacologic manipulation of allograft rejection.

Pamela L. Witte, Ph.D.,  Professor. Cellular Immunologist. The cellular and molecular regulation of B-lymphocyte development.

Virology 

Susan C. Baker, Ph.D.,  Professor. Molecular Virologist. The molecular biology and pathogenesis of coronaviruses.

Edward M. Campbell, Ph.D., Assistant Professor. Intracellular immunity mediated by TRIM family proteins.

Thomas M. Gallagher, Ph.D., Professor. Virologist. Molecular Mechanisms of Virus Assembly and Entry.

Video: Virus Infections: SARs, interview, with Thomas M. Gallagher, Ph.D

Christopher M. Wiethoff, Ph.D., Assistant Professor. Virologist. Mechanistic studies of nonenveloped virus cell entry.

Faculty Videos:

Anthrax and bacteria that form spores, interview with Adam Driks, Ph.D.

Symbiosis: bacteria and higher organisms, interview with Karen Visick, Ph.D.
Describes how a bioluminescent marine bacterium called Vibrio fischeri colonizes a specific tissue of Euprymna scolopes, a small Hawaiian squid.

Virus Infections: SARs, interview, with Thomas M. Gallagher, Ph.D.

The Immune System: T Cells, interview with Makio Iwashima, Ph.D

Graduate Student Videos:

Creating bacterial spores in the lab with Kari Severson

Bacteria and the Immune System with Kari Severson

Ana Shulla's experiments

Preparations for Future Experiments with Taylor Heald-Sargent

Laboratories and Instrumentation

Each laboratory within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is well equipped with current technology for research in microbiology, virology and immunology.  Additionally common equipment is available  for use by all investigators including molecular imaging systems for documentation and quantitation of gels, real-time PCR thermocyclers, chromatography systems for biomolecule purification, spectrophotometers for quantitation and biophysical analysis of biomolecules, epifluorescence microscopes, high speed and ultra-centrifuges, scintillation counters, a dark room  and a environmental rooms.

Additionally, numerous core facilities are available on campus for use by investigators. Two of these Core facilities, the DNA Core and Transgenic Core Facility, are located within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Additional details of these Facilities are provided in the links below.

DNA Core Facility
The DNA Core Facility provides friendly service and timely DNA sequencing in an efficient manner by experienced molecular biologists. Sequencing is performed on an ABI^® Prism 3100 4-capillary automated genetic analyzer with a capacity of about 35 samples in 24 hours. Sequencing is performed from single or double stranded DNA from plasmids and PCR products. Standard primers can be provided if necessary.

Transgenic Core Facility
The transgenic core facility provides services for a fee related to the production of transgenic mice using standard microinjection protocols. Additionally, custom animal surgeries can be performed and surgical training to research personnel can be provided as well. These services are available to the Loyola community and are provided in accordance with the IACUC policies and regulations.

Core Imaging Facility
The Core Imaging Facility is committed to excellence in research and education by providing expert technical assistance and instrumentation to support investigators requiring confocal and electron microscopy. This facility is equipped with both transmission (Hatachi^® H-600 TEM) and scanning electron (JEOL^® 840 A SEM) microscopes, four automatic ultramicrotomes, knifebreakers, and all of the general equipment and facilities needed for tissue processing and darkroom work. The facility also maintains a Zeiss^® LSM-510 laser scanning microscope interfaced to a Zeiss^® Axiovert inverted microscope equipped with a variety of lens for high resolution work. Multiple channels allow simultaneous collection of images using the AR^® 458/488 and HENE^®543 lasers as well as bright-field DIC. Software for image acquisition and analysis is available with the instrument.In addition, there are two workstations with video input from either the SEM or fluorescent light microscope (Leitz^® Orthoplan) for computerized image processing and analysis.

Flow Cyometry Facility
The Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorter Facility (FACS Facility) at Loyola is a user-supported research core laboratory that provides flow cytometric and sorting services. The FACS is equipped with FACStar^® Plus cell sorter, a FACS 420 cell sorter and a FACS Analyzer flow cytometer. The FACStar^® Plus is equipped with an automatic cell deposition device that allows automated single cell cloning of any cell population based on user-defined parameters.

Molecular Core Facility 
The Molecular Core Facility houses state-of-the-art instrumentation related to protein peptide microsequencing, solid phase peptide synthesis, amino acid analysis and high performance liquid chromatography and oligonucleotide synthesis and purification.

Useful Links

NIH Homepage
National Institutes of Health Home Page, Gateway to NIH resoures.

AAI Homepage
American Association of Immunologists Home page. Information on Graduate Programs in Immunology, Questions and answers from real immunologists, Information for contributing to the Journal of Immunology, AAI Membership Information, Postdoc Positions Bulletin Board

How to write an NIH Grant