Welcome to The Department of Immunobiology, one of the five basic science departments of the College of Medicine. We are located at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center Complex north of Speedway Boulevard and west of Campbell Avenue in Tucson, Arizona.

A WORD FROM THE DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN

There have never been more exciting times than now to work in the field of biomedical science. Within that field, Immunobiology is by far one of the most dynamic and rapid advances are coming virtually every month. The UA IMB department is involved in these advances in several unique ways. The main avenue of research in the department focuses on understanding host interaction with microbial flora, including both pathogenic and saprophytic microbes, over the lifespan of the host. This includes several novel approaches, and revolves around the realization that microorganisms in our body (surfaces and cavities) far outnumber our own cells, and therefore must be a force to reckon with. Importantly, this is a highly dynamic process, starting from birth, when microbial colonization occurs (and plays a role in various parts of development), via the maturation and adulthood, where homeostasis is established, all the way to the old age, where certain persistent latent pathogens, such as the herpesviruses, may critically participate in the aging of the immune system. The department is eager to collaborate with other departments, programs and centers to understand the above interactions, their consequences for health and disease, and the ways and means to improve their outcomes in humans.  Please join us on this exquisite journey.

Janko Nikolich-Zugich, MD, PhD

Chairman, Department of Immunobiology

Co-Director, Arizona Center on Aging

Elizabeth Bowman Professor in Medical Research