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Microbiology is the branch of biology. It is to study the various types of micro-organisms (bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, viruses, rickettsia, mycoplasma, chlamydia, spirochetes, and single-cell algae, protozoa) and morphology, physiology, biochemistry, classification and ecology Science.
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November 30, 2009
Volume 1, Issue 1
Medical Microbiology & Immunology
Department Faculty: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Room 1334 Microbial Sciences Building
David Andes, MD
1550 Linden Drive
James Bangs, PhD Madison WI 53706
Curtis Brandt, PhD Phone: 608-262-3351
Email: info@medmicro.wisc.edu
Joseph Dillard, PhD Website: medmicro.wisc.edu
Jenny Gumperz, PhD
Christina Hull, PhD
Greetings!
Anna Huttenlocher, MD
Nancy Keller, PhD Welcome from the Department of
Medical Microbiology & Immunology,
Bruce Klein, MD University of Wisconsin School of
Laura Knoll, PhD Medicine and Public Health! On
å
behalf of our current faculty,
Miroslav Malkovsky, MD,
postdocs, staff and students, let me
PhD
say hello. Personally, I’d like to say
John Mansfield, PhD how much we miss you. For most of
Margaret McFall-Ngai, us, this department is a second with, to reach our teaching and
PhD home; reconnecting with you via this research goals. Since this is our first
newsletter is our attempt at a family newsletter in some time, we also
Donna Paulnock, PhD reunion. You’ve received this include updates from a sampling of
Edward Ruby, PhD newsletter because you are formerly our labs and courses.
associated with our department (a
Ronald Schell, PhD
past student or postdoc, a retired We’d love to hear from you. Please
Robert Striker, MD, PhD faculty or staff member, a friend, etc). write or email, letting us know where
William Weidanz, PhD you are and what you’re up to…
Our plan is to devote a substantial we’ll include your “hello” in our next
Rodney Welch, PhD, portion of each newsletter to a newsletter. See page 7 for more
Dept. Chair specific topic. This issue is largely information on alums and how to
Jon Woods, MD, PhD devoted to the ‘partners’ we work reach us.
Dept Administrator:
Tracy Wiklund Upcoming Events
Newsletter Editors:
Alicia Cramer The year 2010 marks the 75th Additionally, in early spring 2010
Tracy Wiklund "Birthday" of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology
Medical Microbiology & Immunology. will host the first annual Perlman
To celebrate, the Department plans Symposium on Antibacterial
to hold a birthday bash in late spring Discovery and Development. The
or early summer (we're leaning symposium will include a morning
towards the first week of June 2010 session of local speakers and an
at the moment). Part of the program early afternoon poster session.
will be devoted to alumni Again, more information will be
updates/talks. Stay tuned for more made available after the holidays.
information.
Medical Microbiology & Immunology Page 2 of 8
Congratulations
to the following
Our Partners in Teaching and Research
MMI faculty for
Teaching and research are activities postdocs and students to accomplish
their recent
promotions! common to nearly all departments at our teaching and research goals.
UW-Madison and are critical We also established the Wisconsin
components of the Wisconsin Idea*. Center for Infectious Disease
However, many “hands” help us (WisCID) with funding provided by
accomplish our teaching and the conversion of Blue Cross & Blue
research goals. Shield United of Wisconsin to a for-
profit corporation.
Over time, funding available to the
Department for its teaching and In the last few years, we’ve received
research missions has grown and gifts and donations from alumni and
changed. Ten years ago, our community members for activities not
Dr. Jenny
department was funded largely by traditionally funded from other
Gumperz, PhD
Will be promoted to federal grants from NIH (National sources. For example, a gift from the
Associate Professor Institutes of Health) and the State of Paul F. Clark family allows us to
with tenure effective Wisconsin (our University of bring nationally renowned
July 1, 2010. Her Wisconsin budget). Today, as you immunologists to campus, sharing
tenure/promotion
dossier was
see in the chart, a number of other knowledge through research
reviewed and entities assist the State of Wisconsin seminars. We plan to use funds from
approved by the UW and NIH in providing support for our a gift from the Bonnie Anne DeMaio
Biological Sciences work. estate to create/mail this newsletter
Division Tenure
and provide food at our annual
committee in
October 2008. department research retreat. We are
organizing a Spring 2010 “Perlman
Symposium on Antibiotic Discovery
and Development” with funds
generously provided by Kato
Perlman in honor of her husband,
Dave Perlman. With future gifts, we
hope to establish funding
mechanisms for: MMI graduate and
postdoctoral student travel awards,
Dr. Robert awards to MMI faculty and/or staff for
Striker, MD, PhD creation of new, novel means of
Was promoted to transmitting knowledge (Twitter,
Associate Professor anyone?), establishment of an
with tenure July 1, In terms of federal funding, NIH is no undergraduate MMI laboratory
2009. Dr. Striker’s
tenure home is the longer the only “game in town”. We course on probiotics or vaccines, and
Department of now have awards from NSF the creation of staffed, shared
Medicine, Infectious (National Science Foundation), DOD research facilities (such as mass
Diseases Section; (Department of Defense) and USDA spectrometry) within our Microbial
he holds a joint Sciences building for scientists and
appointment in
(United States Department of
Medical Agriculture). Similarly, non-federal students across campus.
Microbiology & groups like American Cancer
Immunology. Society, American Heart Association, * for more information on the
Howard Hughes Institute, Hartwell Wisconsin Idea, see
Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts http://www.wisconsinidea.wisc.edu/
and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund
are now partnering with MMI faculty,
Medical Microbiology & Immunology Page 3 of 8
Notes from the Weidanz Lab Promotions
Continued…
During this past year, we have been Also, in collaboration with Dr. William
working on several projects. Our Burlingham, UW Dept. of Surgery, we
interest in the role of !" T cells in are studying malaria in immunodeficient
malaria continues. These cells, which mice engrafted with human fetal liver,
collaborate with CD4+ T cells, are liver stem cells and embryonic thymic
responsible for cell-mediated immunity tissue. The resulting “humanized mice”
against experimental blood-stage have varying numbers of human immune
malaria induced with Plasmodium cells including B cells and T cells. As
chabaudi. Merle Elloso (Ph.D., 1995) might be expected, these mice are very
Dr. Laura Knoll,
and Henri van der Heyde (Ph.D., 1993) fragile, often dying of infection or graft
PhD
had observed that human !" T cells versus host disease. When infected with Was promoted to
inhibited the growth of P. falciparum in P. chabaudi, which we use as a Associate Professor
vitro, a finding confirmed by Swedish surrogate for P. falciparum, humanized with tenure July 1,
mice produce human cytokines and 2008.
colleagues. Now 15 years later, we can
report that the depletion of !" T cells make human antibodies reactive with P.
from B cell deficient mice chronically chabaudi antigens. However, these
infected with P. chabaudi causes the immune responses fail to protect the
immediate exacerbation of parasitemia mice from lethal disease. I sometimes
to high levels. These findings indicate feel it may be easier to teach them to
!" T cells are capable of killing malaria talk rather than protect them against
parasites in vivo as well as in vitro, malaria.
suggesting an important role for !" in the
immune response to malaria. ~ Bill Weidanz
Dr. Jon Woods,
Understanding Vaccines MD, PhD
Was promoted to full
Professor effective
In Spring 2009, MMI offered a new and pathogenesis components of our July 1, 2008.
course entitled, “Vaccines: Practical curriculum by providing students with
Issues for a Global Society.” The new information and views not presented
goal of this 600-level course is to in other courses. By presenting topics
introduce the student to vaccinology. which are relevant, contemporary and of
Course topics include: immunology of public health importance, we believe
vaccination, vaccine development and students and others will gain an
licensing, vaccine safety, the application understanding of the many issues
of new technologies, role of related to vaccinology, enabling them to
immunization in public health programs participate in finding solutions to the
for infectious disease prevention, problems related to the development and
economics, political, legal and ethical use of vaccines. Dr. Anna
issues relating to human immunization, Huttenlocher, MD
and the impact of immunization in The course, for advanced undergraduate Was promoted to full
and graduate students, was developed Professor on July 1,
animal populations. 2008.
and taught by Drs. Stacey Schultz- Dr. Huttenlocher
Vaccines represent the most cost- Cherry, Peter Shult, and William holds joint
effective medical intervention known to Weidanz. Funding for the course was appointments in the
prevent death and disease. The public provided by a grant from the Robert Departments of
Pediatrics and
is exposed to “vaccine” issues almost Wood Johnson Foundation Health &
Medical
daily, ranging from availability and cost Society Scholars Program and the Microbiology &
of vaccines to vaccine safety and the University of Wisconsin School of Immunology.
ethics of vaccination. Accordingly, this Medicine and Public Health.
new course strengthens the immunology ~ William Weidanz
Medical Microbiology & Immunology Page 4 of 8
Our New Home: The Microbial Sciences Building
Since 2007, the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology,
Medical Microbiology and the Food Research Institute, the
Immunology has had a new home Great Lakes Bioenergy Research
within the beautiful, state-of-the-art Center, and the Wisconsin Center for
Microbial Sciences Building (1550 Infectious Disease.
Linden Drive on the UW-Madison
campus). “We!ve already found some new
synergies,” says Rod Welch,
The 330,000-square-foot facility – the professor and chair of the
campus! largest academic building – Department of Medical Microbiology
combines facilities for innovative and Immunology. “Rather than
instruction, “neighborhoods” of world- segregate the two departments on
class research laboratories to separate floors, we!ve mixed people
stimulate collaboration, and up and broken down artificial barriers
architectural features that recognize between us.”
the lifestyles and shared needs of
researchers. Scientists in the In addition to research laboratory
building study infectious diseases, space, the building features state-of-
emerging pathogens, food-borne the-art classrooms for undergraduate
diseases, food toxicants, parasites, and graduate instruction, a 6th floor
fungal and viral pathogens, and bio- meeting room with an outstanding
defense strategies. Other view of Lake Mendota and the Allen
researchers study the amazing Centennial Gardens, as well as the
abilities of microbes to produce sophisticated 450-seat Ebling
alternative energy sources and Symposium Center, which has
microbial fuel cells, mitigate global already hosted many national and
climate change, improve water international conferences and
quality, clean up environmental workshops.
pollutants and serve as biological
control agents in agriculture. Still Department staff members have
others study genetic systems, given numerous tours of the building
metabolic pathways, communication to diverse groups, and the
networks, relationships with microbial overwhelming response is one of
communities and between microbes amazement at the great space.
and other organisms, regulatory Friends and alumni are urged to visit
mechanisms, molecular structure the Microbial Sciences Building and
and function, and systems biology. behold the opportunities that lie
within!
“The environment created by this
building encourages the cross- For more information about the building
disciplinary work and discussion that (including events that occur within the
can help solve problems and space), see:
advance research,” says Glenn http://www.microbialsciences.wisc.edu/
Chambliss, professor emeritus and
former chair of the Department of
Bacteriology, which occupies the
building with the Department of
Medical Microbiology & Immunology Page 5 of 8
Notes from the Gumperz Lab
The immune system protects the host understanding of how NKT cells
against pathogens and also manages function has been learning the
beneficial microbial colonies. This molecular identities of compounds that
involves making complex decisions activate them. The Gumperz lab has
about whether to tolerate or fight recently shown that human NKT cells
particular microbes, and about the recognize a molecule generated by the
kind of defensive responses to mount. body during inflammation, suggesting
The Gumperz lab studies a subset of they recognize internal stress or
T lymphocytes, called Natural Killer T disease signals. Other lines of
cells (“NKT cells”), which can research involve determining how NKT
contribute to a wide variety of immune cells generate qualitatively distinct
responses and are thought to play an responses in different situations, how
important role in immunological they interact with other cells to
“decision-making.” influence subsequent immune Drs. Jayati
NKT cells are “innate” lymphocytes, responses, and how they contribute to Mookerjee Basu and
which means they are present in the Epstein-Barr virus infection control. Subramanya Hegde
separating
body from birth and they recognize These studies are providing leukocytes from
evolutionarily conserved molecules. fundamental information on the biology samples of human
(In contrast, most T cells are of innate T cells that can be used to blood to use in
“adaptive” lymphoctyes, generated in develop new strategies to promote analses of Natural
Killer T cell function
response to infections we encounter.) human health.
A central problem hindering our ~ Jenny Gumperz
Update from MMI 301 Course Director
With the retirement of Dr. Harry Hinze review bacterial cell structure, cell
in 1995, Dr. Gerry Byrne and I took physiology, and immunology and then
over MMI’s 301 undergrad cover identification, epidemiology and
“Pathogenic Microbiology” course, pathogenic mechanisms of important Rod Welch with PhD
human bacterial pathogens. students, Gary Baisa
taught by Dr. Hinze for years. Dr. and Erica Raterman
Hinze had historically presented Course enrollment has increased
material on both bacteria and viruses. nearly 40% in the past 2 years, with 74
With the recruitment of Dr. Stacey students currently in the class. Our
Schultz-Cherry, who started a new MMI undergrad majors, along with
undergrad course on pathogenic students in other biology programs,
virology, Gerry and I evolved 301 into take the course. The majority of my
a course dedicated to pathogenic students go on to graduate programs
bacteriology. or medical school.
In 2002, when Dr. Byrne retired, I Teaching undergraduates is very
became the course director. I give 23- rewarding. I look forward to each
25 lectures each year and a second- lecture and over the years have filled
year doctoral student serves as the out the material with anecdotes about
course’s graduate assistant. The famous microbiologists, disease
student helps write and grade exams, outbreaks and my own run-ins with Fluorescently-tagged
and gives 2 lectures. This year Eric pathogens. I would enjoy hearing from uropathogenic E. coli
Battaglioli, a Colgate University my former students. constructed in Welch
graduate, is the MMI 301 assistant. In ~ Rod Welch lab
terms of material taught, I briefly
Medical Microbiology & Immunology Page 6 of 8
On the Death of Professor Emeritus Duard Lee Walker, MD
“Duard was a highly
collaborative scientist. Duard Lee Walker, MD, Professor member and a chairman on a
Being collaborative was a
natural extension of Emeritus of Medical Microbiology & number of committees for the
Duard’s personality – he Immunology died Monday, Sept. 14, medical school. In addition, he
was a warm, interactive, 2009. During his distinguished 36- advised and mentored many
calming, friendly, year career at the University of graduate students and fellows, both
outgoing, energetic
Wisconsin, his contributions as in his own laboratory and within the
individual. Duard was
always a gentleman, and professor and department chair in the department of Medical Microbiology.
to this day I consider research, teaching and service He was a member of numerous
myself very lucky to have missions of his department, the editorial boards and medical
had him as my mentor.” Medical School and the University of societies. Dr. Walker will be best
~ Dr. Richard Frisque
Wisconsin were highly meritorious remembered for his work in virology.
and greatly enhanced the institution's He was initially interested in viral
reputation as a place of higher interactions with host cells that
learning. allowed the establishment of latency
of the viral pathogen in the host cells.
Professor Walker was born on June In 1971, in collaboration with Billie
2, 1921, in Bishop, California. He Padgett, his lab accomplished the
received a bachelor's degree (Phi first isolation of the JC virus. This
Beta Kappa) from the University of virus has been demonstrated to be
California (Berkeley) in 1943, the causal agent for progressive
graduated from the University of multifocal leukoencephalopathy
California Medical School, San (PML), a devastating neurological
Francisco, in 1945, and received a disease that occurs in
master's degree in 1947, also from immunocompromised patients. Dr.
the University of California at Walker's group in collaboration with
Berkeley. He married Dorothea V. other investigators characterized the
McHenry on Aug. 11, 1945. JC virus and its natural history. In
collaboration with the group headed
In 1952 the family moved to Madison by Gabriele ZuRhein, the oncogenic
“Duard was a scholar of when he took a position as an potential of the virus was
the highest order. His associated professor at the demonstrated and characterized in
outwardly stern University of Wisconsin. He was hamsters. Dr Walker retired from the
demeanor overlay a
caring individual who did
appointed professor of medical University of Wisconsin in 1988; for
much to facilitate the microbiology in 1959. He became his body of work, Dr. Walker was
training of students in the chairman of the department of elected to the National Academy of
Medical Microbiology Medical Microbiology first from 1970 Sciences in 1990.
program”
to 1976 and again later from 1981 to
~ Dr. Chuck Czuprynski
1988. He was appointed the Paul F. Duard is survived by his wife,
Clark professor of medical Dorothea; his children, Douglas,
“Duard was an microbiology in 1988. During his Donna Fisher (Bruce), David (Tracy)
outstanding mentor, who years at the University, Dr. Walker and Diane Craig (Alan); and three
made it his mission to
help develop the careers
was an active teacher of students. grandchildren, Kate Fisher, Lesley
of women in science. He He was first an instructor and then a Fisher and Lorelle Craig. He was
was ahead of his time in director of the medical school course preceded in death by his parents and
this regard.” on infectious disease. He served as a brother.
~ Dr. June Osborn
Medical Microbiology & Immunology Page 7 of 8
What are our MMI grads doing these days?
Our department’s undergraduate pathogens from clinical samples.
degree program has about 125 She also teaches microbiology to
students at any given point in time. pathology residents, medical
After graduation, where do our students, and clinical laboratory
students go and what do they do? sciences students. Colleen finds the
We asked a few: hospital to be a dynamic
environment, interacting daily with
Jason Paltzer (’99 MMI graduate) colleagues, physicians, and other
went on to earn a Master’s in Public medical staff to provide high quality
Health degree from University of patient care and to educate future Jason Paltzer
Minnesota. From 2003-2009, he health professionals. Colleen
worked as a program director for a recently completed a MS degree in
health & development program in Bacteriology (UW-Madison) and is
Zambia (central Africa). Currently, now applying to doctoral programs.
he’s working on a PhD degree in the She hopes to eventually work in
University of Wisconsin-Madison public health at the Federal or State
Population Health Sciences and level.
Development Studies program.
While in Zambia, Jason found he Robert (Bob) Zemple (’06 MMI
really enjoyed the community-based graduate) is currently working on his
Jeniel Nett
approach to health and intervention, MD degree at the University of
and looks forward to connecting his Wisconsin School of Medicine and
field experience with academic Public Health (started in 2008). After
research after his PhD studies. getting his BS in MMI, Bob earned a
MA in Medical Sciences at Loyola
Jeniel Nett (’99 MMI graduate) went University (Chicago), taught for
on to earn an MD from University of Kaplan in 2007-08, and became an
Wisconsin School of Medicine and EMT in the Waunakee, Wisconsin
Public Health. She completed her area. In his free time as a medical
residency training in Internal student, Bob also works at MEDiC
Medicine at the University of (free healthcare clinics for Madison’s
Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. underserved population), helps
Currently, she is working as a conduct medical student admission Colleen Zaccard
research assistant in Dr. David interviews, is doing research in the
Andes laboratory and will receive a Cardiothoracic Surgery department,
PhD in Cellular and Molecular and serves as the Class of 2012 co-
Biology (December 2009). She plans president and president of the
to continue studying Candida biofilms student body. [Bob is also known for
and to pursue subspecialty training playing the role of “Santa” at a past
as a fellow in Infectious Diseases. annual MMI holiday party.]
Colleen Zaccard (’01 MMI graduate) If you are a past undergrad and
works as a Medical Technologist in would like to be featured in this
Bob Zemple and his
the microbiology laboratory at UW section, please drop us an email! fiancé, Sarah
Hospitals and Clinics. At the bench, info@medmicro.wisc.edu
she applies routine and advanced
laboratory techniques to identify
Keller Lab Statement
My research focus lies in uncovering A particular joy in my work is
the traits required for fungi, mentoring of undergraduate,
particularly Aspergillus species, to be graduate and post-doctoral students.
potent human, animal and plant As the Aspergillus diseases (e.g.
pathogens. A specific interest is the aspergillosis, aflatoxicosis) occur
role that fungal toxins play in the worldwide – coupled with my own
disease process. My interest in this international experiences - I strive to
topic stems back to a seminal bring diverse backgrounds into my
graduate school presentation by the lab for the benefit of all of my lab
late Dr. Paul Nelson on what was personnel. Over the years I have
then a newly described mycotoxin, been lucky enough to have students
fumonisin, implicated as causing not only from the USA but other
esophageal cancer in the South countries including South Korea,
African population. I had recently Republic of South Africa, Nigeria,
completed a stint as a Peace Corps Egypt, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sri
volunteer in Lesotho, a South African Lanka, Lesotho, Australia, India,
Subset of Keller Lab country, and had direct experiences Sweden, United Kingdom, Spain,
From left to right: with molded food supplies, hence this Puerto Rico, Belgium, Greece,
Dr. JinWoo Bok, Carrie seminar hit home at both a personal China, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Lauer, Dr. Nancy Keller,
and intellectual level. Poland, Japan and Germany. It is
Ali Soukup, Alex La
Reau, Saori Amaike
very exciting to watch how my former
students develop their careers in
venues all over the world.
Medical Microbiology &
Immunology
University of Wisconsin-
Madison
1334 MSB
1550 Linden Drive
Madison WI 53706
Phone:
608-262-3351
Non-Profit Org.
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