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Microbiology and Immunology (MIMM)

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Microbiology and Immunology (MIMM)

Location

Location

  • Lyman Duff Medical Sciences Building, Room 511
  • 3775 University Street
  • Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4
  • Telephone: 514-398-3915
  • Fax: 514-398-7052
  • Email: office.microimm [at] mcgill.ca
  • Website: www.mcgill.ca/microimm

About Microbiology and Immunology

About Microbiology and Immunology

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, unicellular eukaryotes, and parasites. Microorganisms play an important role in human and animal disease, food production (bread, cheese, wine), decay and spoilage, contamination and purification of water and soil. Microbiologists study these tiny, self-replicating machines to understand the basic principles of life: growth, metabolism, cell division, control of gene expression, response to environmental stimuli. Microbiologists are also concerned with controlling or harnessing microorganisms for the benefit of people, by isolating antibiotics or producing vaccines to protect against disease, and by developing and perfecting microorganisms for industrial uses.

Immunology is the study of the molecular and cellular basis of host resistance and immunity to external agents such as pathogenic microorganisms. Immunologists study the mechanisms by which the body recognizes foreign antigens, generates appropriate antibodies to an enormously diverse spectrum of antigens, and sequesters and kills invading microorganisms. Their discoveries lead to vaccination against disease, transfusions and organ transplants, allergies, cancer, autoimmune diseases and immune-deficiency diseases such as AIDS. Antibodies may soon be used in conjunction with antibiotics or chemical agents as specific “magic bullets” to diagnose disease and attack microbes and cancers.

The disciplines of microbiology and immunology are natural partners in research, and both fields use the modern methods of cell biology, molecular biology, and genetics to study basic life processes. The members of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology perform research on microbial physiology and genetics, microbial pathogenesis, molecular virology, cellular and molecular immunology, and parasitology. Students registered in the Department therefore are exposed to these related areas and receive an excellent background in basic biology and chemistry as well as in the more applied areas of biotechnology and medicine.

Many opportunities exist for careers in basic or applied microbiology and immunology, medical microbiology, environmental microbiology, and biotechnology. They include positions in industry (pharmaceutical and biotechnology), hospitals, universities, and government (environment, public health, and energy). A degree in microbiology also provides an excellent basis for entering professional and postgraduate programs in medicine, dentistry, the veterinary sciences, research, and education.

Notes on admission to Microbiology and Immunology programs:

Please note that enrolment in Microbiology and Immunology programs is limited to a total of 120 students per year. Students seeking admission to the Liberal, Majors, and Honours programs must have completed BIOL 112, CHEM 110, CHEM 120, MATH 139 or MATH 140, MATH 141, PHYS 101, and PHYS 102 or their equivalent with an overall average of at least B+ (75%).

Students transferring from other programs may be admitted with a B+ average up to the maximum program capacity of 120 students. Applicants not admitted will be placed on a waiting list and will be considered should vacancies occur. Application deadline for U0 or transfer students from other departments and faculties is the third Monday in April. Students who want to transfer to Microbiology and Immunology should consider taking MIMM 211, or equivalent, as a complementary course.

An undergraduate handbook, containing detailed course descriptions, a listing of faculty research interests, and information on careers in microbiology and immunology, is available from the Student Affairs Office in Room 511 of the Lyman Duff Building and at www.mcgill.ca/microimm.

All students (U1, U2, U3) must attend an advising session. Please check www.mcgill.ca/microimm for dates.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2013-2014 (last updated Feb. 26, 2013) (disclaimer)

Microbiology and Immunology (MIMM) Faculty

Microbiology and Immunology (MIMM) Faculty

Chair
Dr. Joaquin Madrenas
Professors
James W. Coulton; B.Sc.(Tor.), M.Sc.(Calg.), Ph.D.(W. Ont.)
Albert Berghuis; M.Sc.(The Netherlands), Ph.D.(Br. Col.)
Matthias Götte; Ph.D.(Max Planck)
Joaquin Madrenas; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Alta.), M.D.(Barcelona)
Greg Matlashewski; B.Sc.(C'dia), Ph.D.(Ott.)
Robert A. Murgita; B.Sc.(Maine), M.S.(Vermont), Ph.D.(McG.)
Martin Olivier; B.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Mark A. Wainberg; B.Sc.(McG.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Col.)
Associate Professors
Dalius J. Briedis; B.A., M.D.(Johns Hop.)
Benoit Cousineau; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Montr.)
Sylvie Fournier; Ph.D.(Montr.)
Samantha Gruenheid; B.Sc.(Br. Col.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Hervé Le Moual; Ph.D.(Montr.)
Gregory T. Marczynski; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Ill.)
Ciriaco Piccirillo; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
Donald Sheppard; M.D.(Tor.)
Assistant Professors
Jorg Friz; Ph.D.(Vienna)
Irah King; B.Sc.(Ohio St.), M.Sc.(Pitt. St.), Ph.D.(Roch.)
Connie Krawczyk; B.Sc.(Guelph), Ph.D.(Tor.)
Associate Members
Biochemistry: Philip Gros, Michel Tremblay
Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases: Marcel Behr, Andre Dascal, Vivian Loo, Mark Miller, Michael Reed
Immunology, Autoimmunity, Host Defense: Jack Antel, Amit Bar-Or, Miguel Burnier, Nicholas V. Christou, Arnold Kristof, Marianna Newkirk, Joyce Rauch, Maya Saleh, Christos Tsoukas
Immmunology and Parasitology: Paula Ribeiro, Petra Rohrbach, Brian Ward, Momar Ndao, Ji Zhang
Microbiology: Maziar Divangahi, Chen Liang, Jay Nadeau, Dao Nguyen
Molecular Biology: Nicolas Cermakian, Subah Hussain, Armando Jardim, Andrew Mouland, Kostas Pantopoulos, Bernard Turcotte
Virology: Anne Gatignol, Antonis Koromilas, Rongtuan Lin, Jose Teodoro
Adjunct Professors
Jacques Archambault; B.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(Tor.)
Albert Descoteaux; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Montr.), Ph.D.(McG.)
Andres Finzi; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Montr.)
George Kukolj; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
Peter Lau; Ph.D.(Ott.)
Byong Lee; B.Sc.(Kangwon), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Laval)
Shan-Lu Liu; M.D.(China), Ph.D.(Wash.)
Andrew Makrigiannis; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Dal.)
Woong-Kyung Suh; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Seoul), Ph.D.(Tor.)
Dan Ziberstein; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Hebrew)
Affiliated Centre
  • Centre for Host Resistance
  • Montreal General Hospital
  • 1650 Cedar Avenue
  • Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4
  • Telephone: 514-398-8038
  • Director: E. Skamene
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2013-2014 (last updated Feb. 26, 2013) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Liberal Program - Core Science Component Microbiology and Immunology (49 credits)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Microbiology and Immunology (68 credits)

The Major program is designed for students who want to acquire a substantial background in microbiology and immunology and related disciplines (chemistry, biology, biochemistry) which will prepare them for professional schools, graduate education, or entry into jobs in industry or research institutes.

For more information, see Major Microbiology and Immunology (68 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Microbiology and Immunology (74 credits)

The Honours program is designed to offer, in addition to the substantial background given by the Major program, a significant research experience in a laboratory within the Department during the U3 year. Students are prepared for this independent research project by following an advanced laboratory course in U2. This program is intended to prepare students for...

For more information, see Honours Microbiology and Immunology (74 credits).

Microbiology and Immunology (MIMM) Related Programs

Microbiology and Immunology (MIMM) Related Programs

Interdepartmental Honours in Immunology

Interdepartmental Honours in Immunology

For more information, see Immunology.

This program is offered by the departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, and Physiology.

Students interested in immunology may choose between this Honours program and the Honours program of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.

Details of this program may also be obtained from Professor Piccirillo in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Room L11.132, Montreal General Hospital; Telephone: 514-934-1934, ext. 45135; ciro.piccirillo [at] mcgill.ca.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2013-2014 (last updated Aug. 15, 2013) (disclaimer)
Faculty of Science—2013-2014 (last updated Feb. 26, 2013) (disclaimer)
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