 Program Description
Features of the MMG Faculty
Research Opportunities
Purpose of Training
Training in Teaching
Qualifying Exam
Student Research Symposia
Graduation
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Program Description
The Program in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (MMG) provides training in the study of microorganisms as well as in the use of microbial models to investigate basic problems in molecular genetics. The program is designed not only for students interested in academic careers in teaching and research, but also for those interested in careers in related aspects of medicine and industry. Research training is offered in bacterial genetics and physiology, microbial development, molecular biology of viruses and bacterial pathogens, mechanisms of bacterial and viral pathogenesis, molecular biology of gene regulation, antibiotic resistance, antiviral and vaccine development.
The MMG Handbook is located here.
Features of the MMG Faculty
The MMG faculty is dedicated to training students in basic principles in microbiology so that graduates will have an outstanding foundation as they continue their career in science. Faculty are drawn from departments within the School of Medicine (Microbiology and Immunology, Medicine, Pathology and Pediatrics), School of Public Health, Emory College, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the VA Medical Center. The faculty collaborate on contemporary microbiologic problems of interest that impact human health. The excellence of the MMG program was recognized by the awarding of an NIH-supported training grant (Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogenesis) in 1994 and was renewed in 2006 with S. Speck as the Director.. The faculty is well-funded with extramural grant support from federal agencies such as the NIH, NSF and VA. The Emory Vaccine Center (faculty member Rafi Ahmed is the Director) and Center of Excellence for Influenza Research Center (faculty member Richard Compans is the Director) provide unique training opportunities for MMG students.
Most of the MMG faculty have dual appointments and actively participate in other GDBBS graduate programs, including Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB), Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis (IMP), Biochemistry and Developmental Biology and Population Biology, Evolution and Ecology (PBEE). Such dual appointments enhance the opportunity for collaborations and increase the exposure of students to different aspects of contemporary issues in microbiology, biology and medicine.
A description of the faculty research interests can be found click here >>>.
Research Opportunities
Opportunities for dissertation research are grouped into two broad areas:
Molecular biology, physiology and genetics of microorganisms:
Major topics in this area include mechanisms of transcriptional control in bacteria and viruses, regulation and physiology of developmental and differentiation processes, transport systems, metabolism, genetics of antimicrobial production and resistance
Microbial pathogenesis: : In this field, important areas of research include the study of genes required for bacterial and viral virulence, action of virulence factors, and mechanisms of microbial escape from host defenses. Organisms studied include important viral pathogens such as the human immunodeficiency virus, adenoviruses, herpes viruses, influenzae virus, as well as bacterial pathogens such as streptococci, staphylococci, mycobacteria, enteropathogenic bacteria, bacteria that cause meningitis and bacteria that cause sexually transmitted infections or urinary tract infections.
Purpose of Training
The objective of our graduate program is to train students to be successful independent investigators in biomolecular research. Our coursework focuses on this by emphasizing three main skills. First, we help our students learn the language of microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology and molecular genetics. Second, we help our students learn to read the original literature and interpret it critically. Our goal is to enable our students to construct hypotheses and to design experiments to test these hypotheses. And third, we emphasize training in effective communication, both oral and written.
Training in Teaching
All scientists are involved in some form of teaching - either formal didactic education of others or presenting work to groups of peers or laymen. Therefore, training in teaching is valuable for all. Emory's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences requires a program for teacher training that has three components. First, there is a three-day summer workshop (TATTO = Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunities), which provides information on teaching techniques, including design of audiovisual aids. Our students take this course in August, between years 1 and 2. Second, the one-semester teaching assistant component is fulfilled by our students helping with a large course, for example, in small problem solving sessions and laboratories for Medical Microbiology. The third component, teaching, is fulfilled by our students in our Advanced Courses because these involve students in teaching each other by assigning appropriate original literature and leading class discussions.
Qualifying Exam
In March-April of year 2, each student presents a research proposal of up to 5 pages to a faculty Advisory Committee whose members they select. This may be related to the thesis topic chosen by the student. An oral examination of the student by the committee focuses on this proposal and endeavors to determine whether the student is prepared to begin a research career. If problems in a student's background are revealed by this examination, the committee determines a remedial course of action to enable the student to proceed effectively. Upon satisfactory completion of the qualifying examination, the student meets formally with the Advisory Committee at least once a year to evaluate progress and determine future direction. Informal advice from faculty and postdoctoral associates is always available.
Student Research Symposia
Each student in years 3 and above gives a 25-minute oral progress report annually as part of a quarterly Student Research Symposium. This is one of the opportunities for students to become effective at scientific communication.
Graduation
Most students in the Program receive their Ph.D. in a little over 5 years. To determine where recent graduates are currently located, click on Alumni.
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