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History
of Microbiology at Yale
In the early 1970's, the optimistic notion that infectious diseases had essentially
been conquered become the prevailing view not only at some government agencies but
also at several academic institutions around the country including Yale. Arguably,
this idea was not without some merit. After all, the availability of powerful antibiotics
and antiviral drugs as well as effective vaccines against previously devastating
diseases gave substance to this widespread perception.
 This view had an impact in the academic structure of several Universities
and negatively influenced several graduate programs in microbiology around the country.
At Yale, the School of Medicine dissolved its Department of Microbiology resulting
in a significant weakening of the microbiology-related research and educational activities.
Unfortunately, we now know that the optimistic view of the 1970's was clearly mistaken.
It is indeed ironic that as we come to the end of a century that has clearly seen
so much progress in our ability to treat and prevent infectious disease, we are once
again confronted with the threat of microbial pathogens. The AIDS epidemic, the identification
of new microbial pathogens and the dramatic emergence of multiple antibiotic resistance
are a clear indication that infectious diseases will remain a very significant health
problem in the years to come. In the United States, infectious diseases have been
dramatically increasing in recent years and are now the third leading cause of death,
closely behind cancer. World-wide, the situation is even much more serious. It is
therefore clear that a concerted effort will be required to deal with the increasing
threat of infectious diseases. A central component of this effort will certainly
have to be the training of scientists in the field of microbiology and microbial
pathogenesis.
Responding to this reality, in the early 1990's the Yale School of Medicine
initiated a process to reestablish a strong Microbiology Program. The first step
in this effort was the creation of the Microbiology Graduate Program. Another very significant and related step
has been the recent establishment of the Section
of Microbial Pathogenesis in the School of Medicine.
General
description
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The Graduate Program in Microbiology
was created as a multidepartmental, interdisciplinary Ph. D. program in training
and research in the study of microorganisms and their effects on their hosts. The
faculty of the Program share the view that understanding the biology of microorganisms
requires a multidisciplinary approach and therefore the Microbiology Graduate program
emphasizes the need for strong multidisciplinary training. The Program is designed
to provide individualized education in modern microbiology and to prepare students
for independent careers in research and teaching.
Students can specialize in various areas including bacteriology, virology, microbe-host
interactions, microbial pathogenesis, cell biology and immunobiology of microbial
infections, microbial genetics and physiology, parasitology, microbial ecology and
evolution. Course work generally occupies the first two years of study. Each student,
together with a faculty committee, outlines a course of study tailored to the individual's
background and career goals. A program of course work may include general microbiology,
virology, parasitology, microbial genetics, as well as complementary courses in areas
such as epidemiology, cell biology, immunology, biochemistry, genetics, ecology and
statistics.
The program also sponsors journal clubs and seminars
in microbiology and related areas. All students participate in three laboratory rotations
with different faculty
members, in their area of
interest. Laboratory rotations assure that students quickly become familiar with
the variety of research opportunities available in the program. An individualized
qualifying exam on topics selected by each student, in consultation with the faculty,
is given before the end of the second year. Students then undertake an original research
project under the direct supervision of a faculty member. The remaining degree requirements
include submission of a research project, writing a dissertation, and oral defense
of the dissertation.
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