The Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Disease Research Area conducts innovative basic research in the areas of cellular and molecular mechanisms of infectious disease, as well as the immune response and microbe-host interaction.<br><br>We seek to understand the biology of microbial signaling systems, exploitation of host cell functions by pathogenic organisms, and mechanisms of protective host immune responses to infections.<br>The model microorganisms used in our research are important pathogenic agents of humans, animals and plants. Examples include Legionella, Salmonella, E. coli, Agrobacterium, herpesviruses, togaviruses and flaviviruses.<br>The group fosters high quality scholarship and provides interdisciplinary undergraduate, predoctoral and postdoctoral trainings in cellular and molecular mechanisms of infectious diseases and other aspects of microbiology, with numerous collaborative opportunities across the Colleges of Science, Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture.