“if” SUCCESSFUL, DR. FALO AND GLOBAL RESEARCHERS MAY HAVE A “BANDAID-TYPE” PATCH, SOON, WHICH WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE “SMALL PRICKLY” NEEDLE/PIN TYPE MEDICATIONS THAT SIMPLY ABSORB INT/THROUGH THE SKIN. IT IS MOR COMPLICATED TO MAKE AND COME UP WITH THE VACCINES, BUT THESE GLOBAL RESEARCHERS AND MEDICAL PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THESE “QUICK ADAPTABLE VACCINES” SINCE 2003. WHY RIGHT INTO THE SKIN, RATHER THAN A SHOT, “LONG NEEDLE” IN TO THE MUSCLE? …DR. FALO, JR. SAYS; “THE SKIN IS OUR 1ST LINE OF DEFENSE AND WE GET BOMB BASTED ALL THE TIMES BY MILLIONS/BILLIONS OF MICROBES AND DETERMINED VIRUSES AND CRAP ALL THE TIMES, BUT OR SKIN DOES A FANTASTIC JOB IN PRODUCING THE ANTI-BODIES AND SO THE PROBABLE VACCINES HE AND HIS FELLOW RESEARCHERS ARE WORKING ON, IN FACT, MAY ONLY HAVE TO BE DONE LIKE MAYBE EVERY 5 YEARS OR SO, OR AS 1ST VACCINES, THEN “BOOSTERS” EVERY SO OFTEN….AS MR. SPOCK WOULD SAY: “FASCINATING”.

About

Immunology is the science of the study of the immune system. Over millions of years, the immune system has evolved to preserve the barriers between self and non-self. Through an intricate system of pathways, molecules and cells present in every tissue of the body, the immune system protects us from pathogens. However, a disregulated immune system is also implicated in many diseases such as diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. By understanding the immune system we can improve vaccination, control autoimmunity and prevent or reverse infectious diseases and cancer.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Immunology is to discover new mechanisms and pathways of the immune system to enrich human health by combating and preventing disease, enhancing vaccination, and controlling autoimmunity. The department has a mission of training students, post doctoral fellows, physicians and other young scientists to be proficient in immunology.

Research

The University of Pittsburgh has a long tradition of excellence in immunology, which began with Jonas Salk and the development of the polio vaccine and continues with the development of vaccines for cancer and HIV.  The Immunology program faculty includes 57 active members, trained at the most prestigious universities and research institutes world wide. Members’ research labs are funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health and many private foundations.  Learn More >

Tumor Immunology

Cutting edge research on the interaction of the immune system and tumors is pursued in several laboratories in the department and is expected to deliver novel immunotherapeutics for cancer treatment. Learn More >

Transplantation Immunology

Research in this area concentrates on weakening both the acute and chronic phases of immune responses, to facilitate the acceptance of foreign organ and tissue transplants.  Learn More >

Immunology of Infectious Diseases

Pathogens and host immune defenses have co-existed for millennia.  The immune system has developed a variety of approaches to controlling infection, ranging from direct killing of pathogens to inhibiting replication.Learn More >

Autoimmunity

Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and type-1 diabetes occur when immune responses are directed at the body’s own cells and tissues.  Learn More >

Immunology of Barrier Surfaces

Barrier surfaces are the first to encounter pathogens and have unique immunological mechanisms to prevent infection. The lung, gut and skin form major physcial and immunological barriers to infection. Learn More >

Basic Immunologic Mechanisms

Many molecular and cellular regulatory mechanisms that underlie all immune system functions are studied in laboratories throughout the department, most with a direct application to disease.   Learn More >

Systems Immunology

Graduate Students

A vital mission of the Department of Immunology is the education and training of future scientists that will continue the mission of expanding our knowledge of how the immune system functions. Below are a series of links to assist Graduate Students with applying to the Department and getting the most out of their time at the University of Pittsburgh. 

• Program in Microbiology and Immunology (PMI)
• Biomedical Graduate Student Association (BGSA)
• University of Pittsburgh Office of International Services
• University of Pittsburgh Office of Academic Career Development for Medical & Graduate Students
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Graduate Program in Immunology has four current T32 training grants for pre- and post-doctoral trainees.

Postdoctoral Fellows

The Department of Immunology hosts several post doctoral fellows and research associates in the various laboratories. Learn more about the University resrources:

• University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association
• University of Pittsburgh Office of Academic Career Development Center for Postdoctoral Affairs
• University of Pittsburgh Office of International Services
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Postdoctoral Fellow site
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Graduate Program in Immunology has four current T32 training grants for pre- and post-doctoral trainees.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

SURP is designed to provide stimulating and rewarding research opportunities for undergraduates considering graduate education in Immunology. 
Learn More >

Summer undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

The Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) in Microbiology and Immunology is designed to provide stimulating and rewarding research opportunities for undergraduates considering graduate education in Microbiology or Immunology. The program is sponsored and administered by the Program in Microbiology and Immunology (PMI) at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine. The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine is a premier research center and provides an exceptional environment for students to gain research experience under the guidance of internationally recognized immunologists. The PMI faculty includes over 100 members, whose labs study such areas as basic immunologic mechanisms, microbiology, virology, autoimmunity, transplantation, cancer, and infectious disease.

Goal

The goal of this program is to provide undergraduate students who have an interest in microbiology and immunology with the opportunity for a hands-on research experience. The program is intended to support and encourage the interests of highly motivated students who are considering the pursuit of an advanced degree in microbiology or immunology.

Program Description

Under the guidance of a selected PMI faculty member, the student will participate in the ongoing research efforts of the laboratory. In the ten-week program, all SURP students will gain experience in basic laboratory skills, participate in lab meetings and connect weekly with other SURP students in the form of a journal club, seminar series, lunch meeting with selected speakers and social activities.  There will also be program-specific events tailored to inform SURP students in PMI of how to build a research career in microbiology or immunology. For more information on the overall goals and structure of SURP please visit the SURP homepage.

Eligibility

Interested students entering their junior or senior year will be selected on the basis of the completed application. For information on how to apply, visit the SURP application site. Please indicate whether your major interest is in microbiology or immunology, and include any reasons or experiences that help to explain your interest.

For further information contact the program-specific PMI faculty:

IMMUNOLOGY

Dr. Penelope A. Morel
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
E1055 Biomedical Science Tower 200 Lothrop St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15261

Tel: 412.624.0343
Fax: 412.383.8098

E-mail: morel@pitt.edu

MICROBIOLOGY

Dr. Kathy Shair
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, lab 1.8
5117 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Tel: 412.623.7717
Fax: 412.623.7715

E-mail: kas361@pitt.edu