The Institute for Human Infections & Immunity, in conjunction with the Office of Research, is initiating studies in two emerging areas concerning global health. These research initiatives include the role of microbiota in human diseases, both infectious and non-infectious, and on developing new treatment modalities to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Efforts are underway to establish a germ free facility at UTMB, and a strategic planning committee consisting of faculty members from the Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Pathology, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics has been formed to guide the process. Germ-free isolators have been purchased, and training of a small group of staff in the germ-free facility will soon begin. Plans for the operation of this new facility are under development with the Director of the Animal Resource Center.
Pilot funding through the IHII will be available to launch new research initiatives in the above-mentioned areas to generate preliminary data for obtaining extramural grant funding.