Immunology

The UCSF Immunology Graduate Program is a component of both the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) program and the Program in Biological Sciences (PIBS). Students interested in the program are admitted into the BMS program and elect to follow the Immunology Track at the end of their first year. First year BMS students pursue coursework with an emphasis on mammalian cells and tissues, including the immune system. Modern approaches for understanding the molecular mechanisms of cell, organ, and immune system function are studied as are integrative approaches toward defining the physiological in vivo importance of these mechanisms. We believe that this coursework will provide an excellent knowledge base for graduate students with a strong interest in immunology and related fields such as infectious disease. In addition, first year students do three research "rotations" in different BMS/Immunology laboratories to learn experimental approaches hands-on and to aid them in choosing a thesis laboratory and project. For students who elect the Immunology Track, the Immunology Graduate Program provides continuing advanced training in current developments of immunology and in other aspects of modern molecular and cellular biology via a weekly immunology student/faculty journal club, an annual immunology retreat, yearly advanced topics minicourses, and a weekly seminar series that hosts outstanding immunologists from around the U.S. and occasionally overseas. In addition to the above courses and activities, our connection with PIBS provides our students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty with close interactions with scientists studying cell biology, genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology, developmental biology, biophysics, and neuroscience. As these fields are highly relevant to modern study of immunology, these connections enhance the education of students in the Immunology Program.

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Participating Faculty

Joseph Bondy-Denomy, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
CRISPR-Cas immunity and anti-immunity
Mentorship Development: 

4/11/19    Acknowleding and Negotiating the Mentee-Mentor Tensions Inherent in the Research Lab (Mission Bay)
2/16/21    Three Truths and Three Tries: Facing and Overcoming Critical Social Justice Challenges at the Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Levels

Peter Bruno, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Research Summary: 
We use synthetic biology and high-throughput functional genetic screens to understand antigen presentation and T-cell recognition in the context of cancer and other diseases.

Jonathan Budzik, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
We study host and pathogen mechanisms that regulate growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other mycobacteria. We are using proteomic and genetic tools to probe host responses to infection in macrophages and animal models.

Atul Butte, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Human Genetics
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
Dr. Butte builds and applies tools that convert more than 400 trillion points of molecular, clinical, and epidemiological data into diagnostics, therapeutics, and new insights into disease.
Mentorship Development: 

5/2021 - Sharpening your Mentoring Skills (SyMS)

Julia Carnevale, MD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Research Summary: 
Our group uses novel gene engineering strategies to decode key genetic programs that we can target to rewire immune cells into effective cancer treatments.

Charles Chiu, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
Metagenomics-Based Technologies for Virus Detection and Discovery

Nam Woo Cho, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Research Summary: 
The Cho Lab is focused on understanding principles of molecular and cellular interactions between cancer and immunity.

Jonathan Chou, MD, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
Mechanisms underlying transcriptional dysregulation, DNA damage responses, inflammation and resistance. Design theranostics targeting the cancer surface proteome and define synthetic lethal interactions.

Alexis Combes, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Research Summary: 
Discover and dissect recurring patterns of the immune system.

Carlo Condello, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Neurobiology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Research Summary: 
We innovate new imaging methods and model systems to elucidate the cell and molecular biology of neurodegenerative diseases and the role of microglia.
Mentorship Development: 

2/2021 - Three Truths & Three Tries: Facing & Overcoming Critical Social Justice Challenges at the Micro, Mezzo & Macro Levels
5/2021 - Sharpening your Mentoring Skills (SyMS)

Jason Cyster, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Virology & Microbial Pathogenesis
Research Summary: 
Cell Migration and Interaction Dynamics underlying Innate and Adaptive Immunity

Anthony Defranco, PhD

Primary Thematic Area: 
Immunology
Secondary Thematic Area: 
Cancer Biology & Cell Signaling
Research Summary: 
Regulation of B Lymphocyte and Macrophage Function by Cell Surface Receptors

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