华盛顿大学凭借其跨学科的研究生课程以及高度互动和协作的环境，非常适合分子微生物学和微生物发病机理的培训和研究。我们的课程是针对个别学生的需求和兴趣量身定制的，并在课程工作，期刊俱乐部和研讨会的支持下，强调实验室研究。该计划教授全面，现代的方法来了解微生物及其引起的疾病。我们与丹佛斯校区的教职员工保持着紧密联系，其中许多人都是MMMP计划的成员。通过植物和微生物生物科学计划，可以获得研究非致病性微生物基本方面的其他机会。该计划包括两个主要的研究领域：1）分子微生物学和2）微生物的发病机理和宿主防御。分子微生
Washington University, by virtue of its interdisciplinary graduate program and highly interactive and collaborative environment, is ideally suited for training and research in molecular microbiology and microbial pathogenesis. Our program is tailored to the needs and interests of the individual student and emphasizes laboratory research, supported by course work, journal clubs and seminars. The Program teaches comprehensive and modern approaches to understanding microbes and the diseases they cause. We maintain strong ties with faculty on the Danforth Campus, many of whom are members of the MMMP Program. Additional opportunities to study fundamental aspects of non-pathogenic microorganisms are available through the Plant and Microbial Biosciences Program. This program includes two major areas of research: 1) molecular microbiology and 2) microbial pathogenesis and host defense. Research in molecular microbiology employs genetics, cell biology, biochemistry, and biophysics to investigate fundamental biological problems including environmental sensing and cell-cell signaling, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, secretion, energy generation, and the bacterial cell cycle. State-of-the-art computational and comparative genomic approaches are used to study commensal, pathogenic, and environmental organisms in their natural environment. Research in the molecular biology and biochemistry of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, protozoa, helminths and viruses, with an emphasis on mechanisms of virulence and host-parasite interactions. Applying a wide range of emerging technologies in molecular genetics and cell biology, this work includes the discovery and analysis of virulence-associated genes, the study of innate and acquired immunity to pathogens, and the identification and exploration of novel targets for chemotherapy.