About UsDepartmental News and Events
2013
Dr Andreas Baumler finds key to growth of "bad" bacteria in inflammatory bowel disease
Scientists have long puzzled over why “bad” bacteria such as E. coli can thrive in the guts of those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), causing serious diarrhea. Now UC Davis researchers have discovered the answer—one that may be the first step toward finding new and better treatments for IBD.
Scientists find key to growth of "bad" bacteria in IBD
2012
Dr Thompson given IDSA award
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has awarded Angie Gelli PhD of the Department of Pharmacology, and George R. Thompson MD a faculty member in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, the 2012
Program committee Choice Award for their work on invasion of the central nervous system by Cryptococcus spp.
Their work was highlighted at an awards presentation on the opening night of the conference held in San Diego, CA during which only 4 presentations were honored for outstanding scientific research.
Together, Dr.'s Gelli and Thompson were able to determine the role of a secreted metalloprotease that is required for invasion into the central nervous system and hope to further characterize both the activity and expression of this enzyme in a human cohort in future studies.
BRCMS awards Aicha Toure for best poster presentation
The Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students has awarded Aicha Toure best poster presentations in the discipline of Immunology for her poster titled: “Increased Proliferation of Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Early SIV Infection.” Aicha is a senior undergraduate student who is majoring in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Medical Microbiology. During the 2012-13 academic year she is participating in an undergraduate research internship in the lab of Dr. Satya Dandekar in the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, and is investigating changes in intestinal epithelial integrity during SIV infection.
Cases of Valley fever on the rise
Dr. George Thompson, assistant professor and assistant director of the coccidioidomycosis serology laboratory, comments on the rising number of cases of Valley Fever seen throughout the central valley.
Valley Fever cases, costs mount
UC Davis-led conference promotes new collaborations in Brazil
An interdisciplinary delegation of researchers and educators, led by UC Davis, met this month at the Integrated Biological Networks Driving Disease Outcomes conference in Uberlândia, Brazil, to explore new opportunities for collaboration with the Brazilian Research Network in the biomedical and translational sciences.
Co-chairs of the conference were Satya Dandekar, professor and chair of medical microbiology and immunology at UC Davis School of Medicine, and Luiz Goulart, a professor at UFU's Institute of Genetics and Biochemistry and visiting professor in UC Davis' medical microbiology and immunology department.
See the rest of the story here.
MMI Department Chair Receives RISE Award
Satya Dandekar, Professor and Chair of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, has been awarded funding from the new Research Investments in Sciences and Engineering (RISE) program to conduct innovative, multidisciplinary research in areas of strategic importance to California, the nation and the world.
Established by the UC Davis Office of Research earlier this year, the program has awarded a total of $10 million to support 12 research projects over the next three years. Five projects are led by UC Davis Health System faculty. See the story here.
Med Micro researcher receives grant from American Heart Association
Dr. Arina Marijke Keestra, an Assistant Project Scientist in Andreas Baumler’s laboratory, received a prestigious National Scientist Development Grant from the American Heart Association, a four-year award totaling $ 308,000. The National Scientist Development Grant from the American Heart Association supports highly promising beginning scientists in their progress toward independence by encouraging and adequately funding research projects that can bridge the gap between completion of research training and readiness for successful competition as an independent investigator. The long-range goal of Dr. Keestra’s research supported by the National Scientist Development Grant is to elucidate pathways of innate immunity that can distinguish harmless microbes from pathogens, thereby enabling the host to mount responses that are commensurate with the threat.
UC Davis dermatologist among scientists honored with Presidential award
Emanual Maverakis, assistant professor of dermatology at UC Davis School of Medicine, joins a highly select group later this month in a White House ceremony honoring recipients of this year's Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the United States government on outstanding scientists and engineers in the early stages of their independent research careers.
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/publish/awards/aboutus/6797/?p=index.html
Immune System weaves cobweb-like nanonets to snag intestinal microbes
A team of researchers led by Dr. Charles Bevins has found that human alpha-defensin 6 (HD6) -- a key component of the body's innate defense system -- binds to microbial surfaces and forms "nanonets" that surround, entangle and disable microbes, preventing bacteria from attaching to or invading intestinal cells.
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/publish/news/newsroom/6696
UC Davis Microbiologist leads study to identify HIV vaccine target
Dennis Hartigan-O'Connor, a new assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Medical Microbiology, is the principal investigator of a study that has identified a potential new target for developing therapies or vaccines for HIV. See the story here.
Shirley Luckhart receives outstanding mentor award
Congratulations to UC Davis molecular biologist Shirley Luckhart, professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) and a graduate student advisor with the UC Davis Department of Entomology! She’s just received a 2012 Outstanding Mentor Award from the UC Davis Consortium for Women and Research. Luckhart, an international authority on malaria, was nominated through a joint effort of her 15-member lab, and supported by former students, postdocs and faculty colleagues. Writing letters of support were doctoral candidates Anna Drexler and Elizabeth Glennon; postdoctoral scholar Nazzy Pakpour; and MMI associate professor Maria Mudryj. Read what her lab members said about her here.
UC Davis MIND Institute researchers present on autism at AAAS Annual Meeting in Vancouver
Janine LaSalle, professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Isaac Pessah, Director of the UC Davis Children's Center for Environmental Health and Disease Prevention led a symposium on relationships between genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences on the development of autism in children during the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting, Feb. 16 -18 in Vancouver, Canada.
The research findings of Dr. LaSalle indicate that exposure to even low levels of flame retardants may affect the brain of a developing fetus and possibly contribute to autism. This story was also covered by MyHealthNewsDaily.com and IrishTimes.com.
Genetics and Man Made Chemicals Equally to Blame
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/publish/news/newsroom/6206
Dr. Eisen elected as a fellow in American Academy of Microbiology
Jonathan A. Eisen, professor of medical microbiology and immunology at UC Davis Health System, has been elected as a fellow in the American Academy of Microbiology, the honorific leadership group of the American Society for Microbiology, which is the world's oldest and largest life-science organization.
UC Davis Professor Named American Academy of Microbiology Fellow
Barbara Shacklett's research highlighted in Science Daily
Dr. Shacklett’s paper titled "Myeloid dendritic cells isolated from tissues of SIV-infected Rhesus macaques promote the induction of regulatory T cells" is higlighted in the February 14th edition of Science Daily. The paper was published in the January 28, 2012 issue of AIDS.
SIV Infection May Lead to Increase in Immune-Suppressive Treg Cells
2011
Research led by Paul Ashwood has been honored by Autism Speaks as one of the top 10 Research Achievements of 2011.
Dr. Ashwood’s paper titled "Elevated plasma cytokines in autism spectrum disorders provide evidence of immune dysfunction and are associated with impaired behavioral outcome" found significantly altered adaptive cellular immune function in children with autism spectrum disorders that may reflect dysfunctional immune activation, and that these alterations may be linked to disturbances in behavior and developmental functioning. It was published in January 2011 in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity. A link to Dr. Ashwood's paper can be found here.
UC Davis MIND Institute autism studies among the world's best in 2011
Dr. Thompson and Dr. Pappagianis paper cited as Top Ten Paper
Dr. George Thompson and Dr. Demosthenes Pappagianis were coauthors on a paper recently cited as one of the top 10 papers in clinical mycology at the 51st Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) attended by over 10,000 medical professionals. Their paper describes abrogation of an IgG response in patients treated very early for coccidioidal infection, and defines the mechanism as the indirect suppression of the IgG antigen CTS1 with fluconazole administration. Their report was the first observation of this phenomenon in mycology. A link to the paper can be found here.
Med Micro Signs Agreement with Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, Brazil
An Agreement of Cooperation between the UC Davis Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology and the Universidade Federal de Uberlandia (UFU), Brazil has been approved by both institutions. The Agreement will promote scientific scholarly activities, research collaborations and international understanding through the exchange of visiting scholars at both institutions. Dr Luiz Goulart, a Visiting Professor from UFU has been based in Med Micro since 2009. It was through his efforts that this agreement was established. Dr Goulart commented “I am very pleased that I have been able to be a part of the process in deepening the relationship between both institutions.”
Dr. Pomeroy elected to Institute of Medicine
Congratulations to Dr. Claire Pomeroy who has been elected to the Institute of Medicine, one of the nation’s highest honors in health and medicine.
Dr. Pomeroy elected to Institute of Medicine
Dr. Pomeroy comments on role of social factors in U.S. health care
In this opinion piece, Dr. Pomeroy, Vice Chancellor for Human Health Sciences, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Medical Microbiology & Immunology faculty member, comments on the critical need to address the social determinants of health as part of health-care reform.
Social factors play huge role in U.S. health.
Dr. Maverakis receives NIH Director's New Innovator Award
Dr. Emanuel Maverakis has received the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award. The NIH Director's Award programs are designed to reinvigorate and advance science and medicine by enabling investigators to pursue entirely new directions in research, with an emphasis on risk taking and innovation.
Three UC Davis Researchers Win Prestigious NIH Awards
New genetically engineered vaccines target Rift Valley Fever
Tilahun Yilma, a Med Micro faculty, is lead author reporting the development of two genetically engineered vaccines to combat the mosquito-borne Rift Valley fever, devastating to livestock and so far confined to Africa and the Middle East.
http://www.news.ucdavis.edu/search/news_detail.lasso?id=9979
Chuck Bevins paper featured in New York Times Story
Dr. Chuck Bevins recent paper linking Male infertility to a missing protein was featured in a story in The New York Times. The paper was published in the July 20, 2011 edition of Science Translational Medicine.
Study Links Male Infertility to a Missing Protein
Jonathan Eisen's PLoS ONE paper featured in The Economist
Dr. Jonathan Eisen's recent article in PLoS ONE is featured in the March 24th edition of The Economist. The paper discusses Dr. Eisen's pursuit of expanding our understanding of the diversity of life.
A New Domain of Life
Claire Pomeroy to be honored as Safety Net Hero
Dr. Claire Pomeroy, Chief Executive Officer of UC Davis Health System, UC Davis Vice Chancellor for Human Health Services and Dean of the School of Medicine, will be honored as a “Safety Net Hero” at the upcoming Spring Break 2011 fundraiser.
Claire Pomeroy to be honored as Safety Net Hero
Researchers within Med Micro working to find a cure for HIV
In a letter from UC Davis Health System CEO and UC Davis Medical School Dean Claire Pomeroy, Medical Microbiology faculty members Satya Dandekar, Barbara Shacklett and Richard Pollard are highlighted for their efforts in finding a cure for the HIV virus.
Working tirelessly to find a cure for HIV
Med Micro places 12th out of 96 Microbiology departments for NIH funding in 2010
The UC Davis School of Medicine rose to 37th place among 134 schools of medicine in the United States in an annual ranking based on the amount of National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funds received over the course of a year. UC Davis School of Medicine ranked particularly high in basic sciences, including microbiology (12th out of 96 surveyed).
UCD School of Medicine among top 40 for NIH funding
Paul Ashwood paper highlighted by NIEHS
Dr. Paul Ashwood’s research into children with autism spectrum disorders is featured in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Newsletter (March 2011).
Elevated plasma cytokines in children with autism spectrum disorder
Renee Tsolis Appointed to NIH study Section
Renee Tsolis has been appointed to Vaccines Against Microbial Diseases Study Section, Center for Scientific Review, NIH, effective July 1, 2011-June 30, 2015. Dr Tsolis was nominated because of her demonstrated competence and achievements as evidenced by the quality of her research accomplishments, publications and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors.
Claire Pomeroy named 2011 Businesswoman of the Year
Sacramento Metro Chamber announced that Claire Pomeroy, Faculty member of MMI, Dean of the UC Davis Medical School and CEO of the UC Davis Health System, is its "2011 Businesswoman of the Year." The chamber recognized her for helping make UC Davis "a major contributor to the health care industry and economy of the Sacramento region."
2010
Shirley Luckhart's contribution recognized in Time Magazine
Time magazine selected the "malaria-proof mosquito," developed with the contributions of professor Shirley Luckhart as one of its 50 Best Inventions of 2010.
The 50 Best Inventions of 2010
Andreas Baumler recognized with top biology paper of 2010
The Scientist selected a study co-written by Andreas Baumler, professor and vice chair of research for the department, as the top paper in biology in 2010.
The Top 5 Papers of 2010
Barbara Shacklett discusses her work with HIV controllers
Barbara Shacklett discusses her work with HIV controllers and announces the launch of three new clinical studies on women (controllers) in the Bay Area of Northern California.
http://www.ifarablog.org/2010/02/women-as-elite-controllers.html
Paul Ashwood featured in Autism Speaks
Research from Dr. Paul Ashwood was featured in this year's newsletter from Autism Speaks.
New research identifies environmental risk factors for autism
Andreas Baumler to serve on NIH study section
Dr Andreas Baumler has been appointed to serve on the NIH Host Interactions with Bacterial pathogens Study Sections, Center for Scientific Review for the period July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2014. Members are selected for this Study Section on the basis of their demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors.
2009
Kathy DeReimer to receive NIH New Innovator Funding
Congratulations to Kathy DeRiemer for being awarded a 5 year NIH grant to support her research on Tuberculosis.
UC Davis Investigators to receive NIH New Innovator Funding
Barbara Shacklett appointed to AIP and ANRS study sections
Barbara Shacklett has been appointed to two Study Sections: National Institutes of Health: AIDS Immunology and Pathogenesis ("AIP") Study section (2009-2013; and The French National AIDS Research Agency, ANRS: Study Section CSS1, Host-Virus Interactions (2009-2012).
