Research

Principal Interest Areas

Cell and Molecular Biology

Students are able to pursue research interests utilizing molecular biological techniques. Specific faculty research interests are in there areas of (a) cellular and molecular biology and cancer metastasis, (b) human molecular genetics, anticancer agents and cell biology, (c) molecular basis for aging and sexual reproduction, and (d) analysis of connective tissue protein gene expression.

Immunology

Students may train in (a) immunochemistry, (b) human immunogenetics; genetic epidemiology of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and diabetes, (c) cellular immunology and immunogenetics; Natural Killer cell and lymphokine activated killer cell activity, and (d) genetics of asthma, allergy and immunology.

Virology

Students may train in characterization of viral diseases, viral, replication, and viral genetics.

Pathogenic Microbiology

Students may pursue research in (a) medical mycology, (b) parasitology; antibody responses to malaria and selected bacterial pathogens, (c) molecular biology and medical bacteriology; gene cloning and vaccine studies, hemoglobin binding proteins.

Other Research Areas

Students may engage in research with a sociological basis or areas dealing with biostatistics and genetic epidemiology. On a case by case basis, students are also allowed to pursue research interests with a resident faculty in collaboration with researchers at other educational or governmental institutions. Generally the research topic is one which falls within the four areas within the department but may not be represented in the laboratory of a full time faculty within the department.

Research Facilities

Research laboratories, administrative and faculty offices and departmental course laboratories are located in contiguous space within the pre-clinical west, Numa P.G. Adams, and Seeley G. Mudd buildings. Additional research space is located in the cancer center and university hospital, and the super computer facility. Additional common rooms and support services area available in the pre-clinical and Mudd buildings, including an electron microscope suite.