Viruses constantly emerge and evolve, with some posing significant threats to human and animal health, while others remain confined to specific species. A recently identified example of the latter is the Camp Hill Virus (CHV), named after its discovery site in Camp Hill, Alabama.

The Heersink School of Medicine is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of its 1R01 Award. Securing extramural research funding is a very competitive process, and this award is a testament to these investigators’ groundbreaking research and dedication to advancing biomedical science.

A UAB microbiologist provides insights into how bacteria are widespread on various surfaces, ultimately debunking the five-second rule.

This innovative program addresses global health initiatives and medical training in Peru with Partners in Health, known locally as Socios En Salud, in Lima, Peru.

The UAB Department of Microbiology is a hub of groundbreaking research, tackling some of the most pressing challenges in the field. In the first part of this series, we explored how the department established itself as a leading force in microbiology, with pioneering contributions to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.

Is eating food that has fallen to the floor ever truly safe? Many cling to the “five-second rule,” which asserts that if you pick up dropped food within five seconds of dropping it, it is safe to still eat.

Jason "Jay" Ashley, MBA, was announced as the new Joint Health Science Administrative Director ll in the UAB Department of Microbiology, effective Feb. 10, 2025.  Read More …

Expressing a lifelong commitment to advancing global health, Gail H. Cassell, Ph.D., DSc (Hon.), and her family have generously donated $1 million to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Marnix E.

The regulator HIF1α functions in a cancer-microenvironment that lacks oxygen, and it may be involved in resistance to immune checkpoint blockade therapy.

Michael Niederweis, Ph.D., and Cynthia Owsley, Ph.D., who collectively hold 23 patents, have been recognized for approaches to DNA sequencing and detection of impaired dark adaptation, respectively.

There are no effective antivirals against BK polyomavirus in transplanted kidneys. A better understanding of its replication will offer new ways to protect those kidneys.

A UAB gut health researcher shares five tips to help you maintain a healthy gut while enjoying holiday meals and treats.

Gürkan Mollaoğlu, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology, was recently published in Cell for his study “Ovarian cancer-derived IL-4 promotes immunotherapy resistance,” which could open new doors for treating ovarian cancer patients who are resistant to immunotherapy. Read More …

As the holiday season approaches, so do the tempting indulgences that often come with it. From festive feasts to sugary treats, holiday eating can disrupt our digestive systems, leading to bloating, discomfort, and even long-term impacts on gut health.

The 30th Annual Gail Cassell Microbiology Research Retreat was held Nov. 8-10, 2024, at Joe Wheeler State Park.

1988 RetreatFor three decades, the annual Gail Cassell Microbiology Research Retreat has brought together members of the UAB Department of Microbiology for a weekend of shared knowledge, thought-provoking discussion, and in-person camaraderie in a collaborative setting.

The UAB Department of Microbiology and the Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) hosted the inaugural HIV Basic and Translational Research Symposium Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at the UAB Hilton Hotel.

Diana Battaglia, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the UAB Department of Microbiology, was recently awarded the Postdoctoral Scholar Peer Award from the UAB Graduate School and Office of Global Affairs. Read More …

Amarshi Mukherjee, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Microbiology, recently received the Blazing Dragon Award from the Office of Postdoctoral Education for his involvement in the Dokland Lab. This award reflects a lone postdoc contributor's unique role in their lab, blazing a trail with their unique insights and efforts.

Bacterial viruses, known as phages, are the most abundant biological entities on the planet and are increasingly used as biomedicines to eradicate antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria.

The UAB Department of Microbiology welcomed Gürkan Mollaoğlu, Ph.D., as an assistant professor in October 2024. Read More …

Graduate Biomedical Sciences (GBS) at UAB recently welcomed its new class of GBS students pursuing their Ph.D. across eight interdisciplinary training themes.

Goal of this UAB-led service is transforming the global landscape of TB research through accelerated study of human TB tissue.

UAB has committed to a significant leap forward in biomedical research by approving the Center for Integrative Structural Biology during the June 2024 University of Alabama System Board of Trustees meeting.

Indirect benefits could include how to lessen rejection of transplanted organs and damage to the transplanted tissue.

A platform for undergraduate students to advance their research, the UAB Summer Research Academy (SRA) launched its seventh installment of the program on June 3, 2024. This competitive research program provides summer scholarships for students in the joint health sciences while preparing them for advancement to graduate or medical scientist training programs.

The spring 2024 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception honored the distinguished faculty members of the Heersink School of Medicine for their outstanding impact on contemporary medicine and medical education. Anupam Agarwal, M.D., the dean of the Heersink School of Medicine, extended a warm welcome to the honorees, their families, and other leaders from the school.

The Heersink School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion hosted the annual Women in Medicine and Science Promotion Reception April 11, which recognized women faculty promoted at the end of 2023. The honorees and their guests were greeted by Heersink leadership to celebrate their remarkable achievements.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine saw great success in acquiring research funding in 2023, making significant strides in securing resources to advance human health through biomedical discovery.

Cooper recently won the Albert Lasker Award, known as “America’s Nobel Prize,” given to the living person considered to have made the greatest contribution to medical science.