Our Research
UTMB is among the U.S. leaders in NIH-supported Infectious Disease research. Our HIV research ranges from basic studies on mechanisms of viral replication to studies of implementation of HIV and tuberculosis treatment strategies in Africa. We are developing
tissues engineered from human stem cells as models of infections, studying the epidemiology of infections, and developing new diagnostic tests. We have a strong emphasis on immunology from basic studies in mucosal and burn models, to studies of regulatory
cells in human infections.
We are leaders in the study of the immune response to parasitic infections (including malaria, leishmaniasis, cryptosporidiosis, and giardia). In collaboration with other departments, we are performing cutting edge studies on vector-borne diseases, such
as Rickettsial infections. Through the Department of Healthcare Epidemiology, UTMB is a major center for the study of infection control.
The major research interests and expertise of the faculty of the Division are in the following areas:
- Antimicrobial stewardship, infection control and hospital epidemiology
- Biocontainment, biosafety
- Coronavirus, clinical trials
- HIV pathogenesis, opportunistic infections, HIV/AIDS in Africa
- Mucosal Immunology
- Parasitology, parasite pathogenesis
- Rickettsia Infections
- Solid organ transplant infections
- Tissue engineering
- Tropical and travel Medicine, global health
- Wound care
Infectious Diseases research at UTMB interconnects multiple centers and institutes. Over 150 investigators are addressing Infectious Diseases and Immunity in different departments and centers across the institution. UTMB is a world leader in emerging viruses, rickettsia, and tropical diseases. UTMB is the only University in the country with an active Bio-Safety Level 4 Laboratory (BSL-4).