Welcome to the Department of Microbiology & Immunology
The Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of British Columbia provides a stimulating environment in which to pursue a graduate or undergraduate research program. Our faculty is internationally recognized for contributions in microbiology, molecular biology and immunology. Students will have the opportunity to experience the most up-to-date molecular approaches to the study of problems in microbiology and immunology.
Articles of Interest
Electron transfer in the Rhodobacter sphaeroides reaction center assembled with zinc bacteriochlorophyll
The cofactor composition and electron-transfer kinetics of the reaction center (RC) from a magnesium chelatase (bchD) mutant of Rhodobacter sphaeroides were characterized. In this RC, the special pair (P) and accessory (B) bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) -binding sites contain Zn-BChl rather than BChl a.
Impaired CD8 T cell memory and CD4 T cell primary responses in IL-7Ra mutant mice
This study by Osborne et al published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine examines the role of a regulator of immune cells, the cytokine, Interleukin-7 or IL-7 [LC Osborne et al, J. Exp. Med., 204: 619-631 (2007)]. T cells play important roles in defending the body from pathogens by killing infected cells and in providing growth factors to other immune cells. Memory T cells are responsible for the body’s ability to react to repeated infections with greater effectiveness and are the targets of vaccination.
