Department News

Finding the Keys to Stop Zika Virus

Dr. Husni Elbahesh was interviewed in Science Sound Bites to discuss viruses.

Dr. Michael Whitt interviewed on TV: Are we prepared for a major virus outbreak?

Dr. Whitt was interviewed on WREG-TV Channel 3 Live@9 . He said a major virus outbreak like we saw last year with Ebola could easily happen again. He also talked about the recent outbreak of MERS.

Dr. Michael Whitt Co-authors New Book about Ebola and Other Deadly Viruses, Advises Vigilance and Rapid Action to Prevent Future Outbreaks like the 2014 Ebola Epidemic in West Africa

Dr. Whitt, professor and chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry in the College of Medicine at UTHSC, and Asit K. Pattnaik, PhD, professor in the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, are co-authors of the book titled, “Biology and Pathogenesis of Rhabdo- and Filoviruses,” published by World Scientific. The book reviews the most recent findings on the replication of this group of human pathogens, including the biology of the rabies virus, as well as Marburg and Ebola viruses, and the response of host cells to infection (full story).

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Paper from Dr. Terrance Cooper's Lab Featured in Saccharomyces Genome Database Blog

A recently published paper from Dr. Terrance Cooper’s lab was highlighted by the News and Noteworthy blog at the Saccharomyces Genome Database Blog site.

These images depict two yeast strains: Images I-L are of a mutant containing an alteration of the rare glutamine tRNACAG. Images M-P are of a double mutant, the tRNA mutation described above along with a deletion of the Ure2 negative regulator of the Gln3 transcription activator. The left four images are in the absence of the drug rapamycin, whereas the right four images are of cultures containing the drug. The Gln3 transcription factor tagged with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) accounts for the green color.

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Dr. David Nelson named among the world's most influential scientists by Thomson Reuters

The Thomson Reuters report distinguishes scientists and researchers who have written the greatest number of articles ranking among the top 1% most cited for their subject field and year of publication.

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Dr. Maria Gomes-Solecki on the cover of MBQ: Inside Memphis Business as a 2014 Innovation Awards winner

Dr. Maria Gomes-Solecki was recognized for researching and developing a unique way to prevent the spread of Lyme disease - an oral vaccine for mice, the prime carriers of the bacteria that cause the disease.

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Dr. Michael Whitt Interviewed on Fox 13

In light of reports of two cases of tuberculosis in Shelby County Schools, Michael Whitt, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, was interviewed on Fox 13 about the disease and what parents need to know.

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Dr. Marko Radic gave a plenary session talk at the International Congress on Autoimmunity

On March 28, 2014, Marko Radic, faculty in MIB, gave a plenary session talk about the research performed in his laboratory on the "Citrullination of Autoantigens" at the 9th International Congress on Autoimmunity in Nice, France.

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Stuart M. Levitz, M.D. named as 23rd Annual Edwin H. Beachey Distinguished Visiting Professor

Dr. Levitz gave two talks on May 7:

• Medical Grand Rounds: "The Fungus Among Our Patients"; 8:00 AM, Coleman North Auditorium
• Research Seminar: "Understanding and Exploiting Host Responses to Fungi"; 1:30 PM, Freeman Auditorium, Hamilton Eye Institute

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Dr. Husni Elbahesh's visit to MIB

Dr. Husni Elbahesh, Ph.D. explains the fascinating roles of "Virus Host Interactions" at lunch and during a special seminar presentation Monday April 21, 2014 MSB.

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Dr. Michael Whitt Named as Department Chair

On November 8, 2013, the department got together in the MIB Bistro to celebrate Dr. Michael Whitt being named chair of our department.