The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

.:. S P O T L I G H T .:.

Dr. Gerard Nau

After receiving his Bachelors degree in Microbiology from the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Nau completed a combined MD, PhD in Immunology through the... < more>

.:. F A S T F A C T S .:.

The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics is the largest basic science department in the entire University of Pittsburgh.

Current Status of MMG

Upon arriving in 1989, Dr. Joseph Glorioso brought the concept of molecular medicine to the University of Pittsburgh Basic Sciences. Over the past 18 years MMG has steadily progressed to become one of the nation’s leading research departments. MMG's unwavering mission is to continue to be a leader in genetics and microbiology research, and provide excellence in teaching and mentoring at all educational levels.

Due to the number and diversity of the primary and secondary faculty, the Vice Chair position was created in 2006. Dr. Thomas Smithgall became the first Vice-Chair and he works Biomedical Science Tower

in close coordination with Dr. Glorioso and the Department staff to administer the many responsibilities.

MMG faculty members are well-funded, have a strong commitment to graduate and medical student education, train a large number of post-doctoral (both PhD and clinical MD) scholars, and provide research experiences to undergraduates and high school students through summer internships. Based on extramural grant support primarily through the National Institutes of Health, we are currently ranked third among departments of genetics nationwide. Last year MMG submitted 137 various grant applications and published 119 manuscripts.

MMG is dedicated to the principles of cultural diversity and the support of career development opportunities for women and minorities. Our faculty have played and currently playing key roles in the recruitment of new leaders and faculty for these exciting cross-disciplinary endeavors which are essential to raising the scientific excellence of our department and the School to an even higher level. All faculty are committed to collaboration and bringing together expertise in microbiology, virology, immunology, developmental biology, molecular biology, cellular biology, and genetics.

MMG maintains strong, diverse research programs, continues to play a significant role in the educational mission of the School of Medicine and to foster an environment where members of the department can achieve opportunities for career advancement, productivity and scientific interactions. Our plans for future improvement and growth must include both intellectual and financial considerations, and as we chart our departmental course we continue to align ourselves with the greater initiatives of the School of Medicine and the University. This approach provides a sense of faculty ownership and incentive to work diligently towards our local objectives within MMG in parallel with the greater mission of the Medical School.

Research Mission

To provide a creative environment in which innovative scientists can carry out exciting fundamental and clinical research. The research mission includes the discovery of fundamental mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis and the host response to infection, improve understanding of cell cycle biology, signaling pathways, DNA damage and repair and the development of cancer, uncover molecular mechanisms of tissue and organ development, explore the organization and function of various genomes and develop methods for translation of basic research to treatments of human disease.

Teaching Mission

To provide innovative teaching and mentoring for faculty, research fellows and graduate and medical students. To foster independent learning, critical thinking, communication skills, the creative synthesis of new ideas based on experimental and practical knowledge and mastery of the experimental method and techniques.

Service Mission

To provide support to the University at multiple levels including faculty promotion, committees for review of clinical research and patient studies, animal use and welfare, biosafety, conflict of interest and entrepreneurial oversight, research conduct and compliance and university-wide teaching.