# Molecular Analysis of Microbial Pathogens

> **NIH NIH T32** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 2020 · $218,399

## Abstract

This application requests support for continuation of a rigorous predoctoral Training Program that
focuses on the molecular analysis of microbial pathogens. Experimental research training is the primary
focus of this Program. A key and complementary component of the Training Plan is the requirement for
Ph.D. students to have exposure to problems in clinical medicine through participation in an intensive
summer course in infectious diseases that involves clinical rounds. The training program is designed to
provide students with the tools to become independent research scientists in academia or industry while in
parallel providing a deep understanding of current problems in clinical infectious diseases as well as training
in the important principles of reproducibility and rigor.
 The Training Program is a track within the interdepartmental Graduate Program in Molecular
Microbiology and draws faculty members from the Departments of Molecular Biology and Microbiology,
Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, and Developmental, Molecular & Chemical Biology. All
investigators have a common interest either in pathogenic microorganisms or in restriction of pathogens in
cell or animal models. The varied research interests of the group include: a) bacterial pathogenesis,
including the study of colonization, intracellular growth and development of tools to study microbial genes
expressed during animal infections; b) viral pathogenesis and replication; c) viral persistence and
oncogenesis; d) viral gene expression; e) structure and function of viral entry proteins; f) pathogen evolution
during disease; g) development of novel anti-parasitic and anti-fungal strategies; h) protein secretion and
the analysis of yeast, parasite and bacterial surfaces; and i) global regulation of gene expression and cell
growth in microbial model systems; j) mouse models of innate immunity; and k) microbial interaction with
effectors of acquired immunity. The members of this Program use genetic, cell biological, biophysical and
biochemical strategies to analyze microbial pathogens, as well as animal infection models. This Training
Program has a long history of having a strong collaborative spirit of learning and research among faculty
and students. Recruitment and admission strategies have been highly successful, with an excellent
minority recruitment program. The overwhelming majority of Ph.D. graduates supported by this Training
Program are currently employed in research positions in academics and industry, with over 30% of the
graduates who have finished postdoctoral training obtaining faculty positions.
 The Program is overseen by the Training Committee, a group of internationally recognized scientists
who participate in the graduate education of all trainees. The application is for five years of support for 5
predoctoral trainee positions per year. Trainees are chosen by a rigorous selection process and are
supported, on average, for 2 years, beginning in their second or thi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9953997
- **Project number:** 5T32AI007422-29
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Ralph R. Isberg
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $218,399
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1992-09-30 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9953997

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9953997, Molecular Analysis of Microbial Pathogens (5T32AI007422-29). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9953997. Licensed CC0.

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