Welcome to the Department of Microbiology, Genetics & Immunology
The Department of Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology provides a vibrant, interactive environment for basic, translational, and computational research, alongside interprofessional education across the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Allied Health, Public Health, and Graduate Studies.
Our faculty direct state-of-the-art basic, translational, and clinical research programs that connect researchers on campus and across the nation. Our research combines wet-lab empirical methodologies with dry-lab computational approaches, including multi-omics, bioinformatics, functional genomics, epigenetics, and big data analysis. Projects explore viral, bacterial, fungal and parasite pathogens, host-pathogen interactions, and the human microbiome. Furthermore, our teams map innate and adaptive immune responses, inflammatory pathways, and immune-mediated pathology. Together, these disciplines allow us to investigate the complex mechanisms driving disease susceptibility, pathogenesis, progression, and therapeutic responsiveness across a broad spectrum of human disorders.
Through the School of Graduate Studies, students can pursue doctoral (PhD and MD/PhD) or Master of Science (MS) degrees with specializations in Genetics or in Microbiology and Immunology. Trainees gain hands-on expertise in advanced molecular techniques and computational methods, and our graduates consistently attain prominent leadership roles in academia, biotechnology, industry, government agencies, and clinical fellowships nationwide. The MGI also directs summer research internships and educational pathway programs, introducing students to biomedical research and healthcare education while serving the community through science outreach across Louisiana.
Our mission: To drive innovative research and mentorship across microbiology, genetics, and immunology while translating fundamental molecular discoveries into targeted diagnostics, preventives, and therapies for the people of Louisiana and beyond; to educate and mentor the next generation of researchers and health professionals; to promote the continued growth and academic excellence of the LSU Health Sciences Center and its clinical affiliates.
Department Co-Chairs
Fern Tsien, PhD and Alistair Ramsay, PhD