The Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics (MIMG) is the nucleus for research and education in immunological and microbiological topics for the six schools at UT Health San Antonio and provides a dynamic environment for scientific discovery and training.

Our mission is to further research in molecular immunology, microbial pathogenesis, tumor immunology, autoimmunity, immunodeficiencies, and development of the immune system, to build the knowledge necessary for vaccines and therapies of the future.

We are committed to developing the next generation of scientists in biomedical research, and to this end, we offer a spectrum of training opportunities. We house an Undergraduate Research Program, participate in a high school student science training program (Voelcker Biomedical Research Academy), in addition to offering a Doctorate and a Master of Science Program in Immunology and Infection. Our faculty also teach and mentor PhD students through the Molecular Immunology & Microbiology Discipline of the Integrated Biomedical Science Program in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, in addition to providing the teaching in microbiology, immunology, and infection to our medical and dental students.

Finally, in addition to undergraduate and graduate trainees, Postdoctoral Fellows are important in our overall research effort. Postdoctoral fellowships are available in most laboratories of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics.

Learning and Training Opportunities


The Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics supports a variety of learning and training opportunities in seminars, lectures and events, including

Contact the Program Coordinators at: immunity@uthscsa.edu

New Grant Awards


  • Dr. Alexei Tumanov was recently awarded a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas grant (CPRIT) entitled: “Overcoming liver toxicity of anti-CD137 cancer immunotherapy”
  • Dr. Nu Zhang was recently awarded the VA Merit Award for his project entitled: “Targeting lymphoid tissue residency to boost tumor immunotherapies”
  • Dr. Yan Xiang and Dr. Peter Dube were recently awarded IIMS/CTSA award for their pilot project entitled: “Developing Hetero-bivalent Nanobodies Targeting Spike Receptor-Binding Domain as Therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern”
  • Dr. Ann Griffith was recently awarded NIH grant R56AI153626 grant entitled: “Causes and consequences of declining B cell-mediated central T cell tolerance throughout the lifespan”
  • Dr. Alexei Tumanov was recently awarded Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas grant (CPRIT) entitled: “Targeting Lymphotoxin Beta Receptor in Sensory Neurons for Control of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain”
  • Dr. Michael Berton was recently awarded a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas grant (CPRIT) entitled: “High-Parameter Analysis, Sorting, and Imaging Flow Cytometry Shared Resource”