×
Skip to main content
Loyola University Chicago Microbiology and Immunology
Stritch School of Medicine
Loyola University Chicago logo in header of site

About Us

Microbiology and Immunology Department

The Microbiology and Immunology Department offers programs leading to MS and PhD degrees. A dual degree of MD/PhD is also offered to students who are accepted into the Stritch School of Medicine and the Graduate School. Full tuition remission and stipend awards are available for accepted PhD and MD-PhD students. All applications are accepted for fall admission only.

The rich research environment of Loyola University Medical Center is nationally and internationally recognized due to such programs as the Neuroscience and Aging Institute, the Burn-Shock Trauma Institute, the Cardiovascular Research Institute, the Parmly Hearing Research Institute, and the Oncology Institute, as well as the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center.  The adjacent Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital, which shares a strong affiliation with Loyola University Medical Center, offers many other opportunities for research collaboration.

Housed in the Center for Translational Research and Education (CTRE), the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is composed of 18 primary faculty with diverse expertise in immunology, microbiology, and virology. We welcome students from both the IPBS PhD program and MS programs, including our InDIRI and MIIM MS programs.

Labratories and Instrumentation

Each laboratory within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is well equipped with current technology for reseach in microbiology, virology, and immunology.  Additionally common equipment is available  for use by all investigators including molecular imaging systems for documentation and quantitation of gels, real-time PCR thermocyclers, chromatography systems for biomolecule purification, spectrophotometers for quantitation and biophysical analysis of biomolecules, epifluorescence microscopes, high speed and ultra-centrifuges, scintillation counters, a dark room, and a environmental rooms.  Additionally, numerous core facilities are available on campus for use by investigators. Two of these Core facilities, the DNA Core and Transgenic Core Facility, are located within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Additional details of these Facilities are provided in the links below.

The DNA Core Facililty

The DNA Core Facility provides friendly service and timely DNA sequencing in an efficient manner by experienced molecular biologists. Sequencing is performed on an ABI® Prism 3100 4-capillary automated genetic analyzer with a capacity of about 35 samples in 24 hours. Sequencing is performed from single or double stranded DNA from plasmids and PCR products. Standard primers can be provided if necessary.

Transgenic Core Facility

The transgenic core facility provides services for a fee related to the production of transgenic mice using standard microinjection protocols. Additionally, custom animal surgeries can be performed and surgical training to research personnel can be provided as well. These services are available to the Loyola community and are provided in accordance with the IACUC policies and regulations.

Core Imaging Facility

The Core Imaging Facility is committed to excellence in research and education by providing expert technical assistance and instrumentation to support investigators requiring confocal and electron microscopy. This facility is equipped with both transmission (Hatachi® H-600 TEM) and scanning electron (JEOL® 840 A SEM) microscopes, four automatic ultramicrotomes, knife breakers, and all of the general equipment and facilities needed for tissue processing and darkroom work. The facility also maintains a Zeiss® LSM-510 laser scanning microscope interfaced to a Zeiss® Axiovert inverted microscope equipped with a variety of lens for high resolution work. Multiple channels allow simultaneous collection of images using the AR® 458/488 and HENE®543 lasers as well as bright-field DIC. Software for image acquisition and analysis is available with the instrument. In addition, there are two workstations with video input from either the SEM or fluorescent light microscope (Leitz® Orthoplan) for computerized image processing and analysis.

Flow Cytometry Facility

The Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorter Facility (FACS Facility) at Loyola is a user-supported research core laboratory that provides flow cytometric and sorting services. The FACS is equipped with FACStar® Plus cell sorter, a FACS 420 cell sorter and a FACS Analyzer flow cytometer. The FACStar® Plus is equipped with an automatic cell deposition device that allows automated single cell cloning of any cell population based on user-defined parameters.

Microbiology and Immunology Department

The Microbiology and Immunology Department offers programs leading to MS and PhD degrees. A dual degree of MD/PhD is also offered to students who are accepted into the Stritch School of Medicine and the Graduate School. Full tuition remission and stipend awards are available for accepted PhD and MD-PhD students. All applications are accepted for fall admission only.

The rich research environment of Loyola University Medical Center is nationally and internationally recognized due to such programs as the Neuroscience and Aging Institute, the Burn-Shock Trauma Institute, the Cardiovascular Research Institute, the Parmly Hearing Research Institute, and the Oncology Institute, as well as the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center.  The adjacent Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital, which shares a strong affiliation with Loyola University Medical Center, offers many other opportunities for research collaboration.

Housed in the Center for Translational Research and Education (CTRE), the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is composed of 18 primary faculty with diverse expertise in immunology, microbiology, and virology. We welcome students from both the IPBS PhD program and MS programs, including our InDIRI and MIIM MS programs.

Labratories and Instrumentation

Each laboratory within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is well equipped with current technology for reseach in microbiology, virology, and immunology.  Additionally common equipment is available  for use by all investigators including molecular imaging systems for documentation and quantitation of gels, real-time PCR thermocyclers, chromatography systems for biomolecule purification, spectrophotometers for quantitation and biophysical analysis of biomolecules, epifluorescence microscopes, high speed and ultra-centrifuges, scintillation counters, a dark room, and a environmental rooms.  Additionally, numerous core facilities are available on campus for use by investigators. Two of these Core facilities, the DNA Core and Transgenic Core Facility, are located within the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. Additional details of these Facilities are provided in the links below.