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Research

The scientific focus of the Department of Microbial Pathogenesis is to study microbial pathogens through multidisciplinary approaches. Understanding the mechanisms by which microbial pathogens cause disease requires understanding the pathogenic microorganisms themselves as well as the cellular and immune responses they stimulate in the host. We are researching these interactions for a wide variety of important viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens.

Research Community

The Department of Microbial Pathogenesis is part of a larger community: Microbiology Track Faculty in the Yale Combined Program in the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) and Microbiome Research at Yale.

Advanced Training

The impact of viruses such as AIDS and SARS-CoV-2 cannot be overstated; emerging microbial pathogens and the spread of antibiotic resistance are clear indications that infectious diseases remain a significant health problem. In the United States, infectious diseases are the third leading cause of death, and the situation is even more serious worldwide. A concerted effort is needed to deal with the growing threat of infectious diseases, and a central component of this effort is the training of scientists in the fields of microbiology and microbial pathogenesis.