Medical Microbiology & Immunology Department

Teaching

The Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology is the main contributor to the teaching of medical microbiology, immunology, and microbial pathogenesis disciplines to the Doctor of Medicine, MD, Masters of Medical Sciences and PhD in Biomedical Sciences Programs.

Teaching in the MD program

Microbiology & Immunology course (MIM) in the Pre-Medical program (Year 2 of the MD program): This course covers the molecular and cell biology of infectious agents of medical importance, emphasizing the principles of host-parasite relationships and the pathogenesis of viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. It includes the taxonomy and classification of pathogenic microorganisms and laboratory techniques for their identification. Additionally, the course explores the structural and molecular basis of the immune system and the principles of immune reactivity, with applications for detecting and monitoring infections.

Infection, Inflammation and Immunity (III) course in the Pre-Clinical program ( year 3 of the MD program). This course provides an in-depth understanding of the etiology, pathogenesis, and laboratory diagnosis of bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections across different organ systems. It also covers the basic mechanisms of immune reactivity to tumors and grafts, the characteristics of immunodeficiencies, and hypersensitivity reactions. Students will learn about the pathogenesis, immunodiagnosis, and immunotherapy of both organ-specific and systemic immune-mediated diseases.

Teaching in graduate programs

The department delivers track compulsory and elective courses in the Microbiology and Immunology Track of the Master of Medical Sciences program and contributes to the teaching of microbiology & immunology related courses in the PhD in Biomedical Sciences program. We equip students with advanced knowledge in cellular and molecular immunology, virology, and bacteriology. Our department's main teaching areas include host-pathogen interactions, molecular epidemiology of bacterial pathogens, retroviral vectors for gene therapy, virus-associated malignancies, cancer immunotherapy, and immune system-mediated diseases.

Research

The department remains dedicated to cultivating robust programs in microbial pathogenesis and immune regulation, particularly in autoimmune diseases and cancer. These focal points drive our postgraduate research initiatives, spanning both the Master of Medical Sciences and PhD in Biomedical Sciences program. Since its inception, the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology has consistently developed a research portfolio of exceptional international standing, bolstered by substantial intramural and extramural funding support. Here are the main research areas our department is actively pursuing:

Host-Pathogen interactions: Investigating how pathogens interact with their hosts at the molecular and cellular levels to understand the mechanisms of infection and disease progression.

Molecular epidemiology of bacterial pathogens: Studying the distribution and determinants of bacterial infections to inform public health strategies and improve disease control and prevention.

Antimicrobial Resistance: Investigating the mechanisms of resistance in bacteria and other pathogens to develop strategies to combat antibiotic resistance.

Retroviral Vectors for Gene Therapy: Developing and optimizing retroviral vectors as tools for delivering therapeutic genes to treat genetic disorders and diseases.

Virus-Associated Malignancies: Exploring the role of viruses in the development of cancer and identifying potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Cancer Immunotherapy: Advancing treatments that harness the immune system to fight cancer, including the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies.

Immune System-Mediated Diseases: Understanding the underlying causes of immune system dysfunctions, such as autoimmune diseases and inborn errors of immunity to develop better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Vaccinology: Researching and developing vaccines to prevent infectious diseases, with a focus on novel antigens and delivery systems.

Nutritional immunology: Defining mechanisms by which natural compounds can enhance cancer immunity and improve response to therapy.

Through these research areas, our department is committed to advancing knowledge and contributing to the development of new treatments and interventions that can improve health outcomes globally.

To access the research profiles of individual faculty members, kindly use the following link:

Department of Microbiology — United Arab Emirates University (uaeu.ac.ae)

Faculty

Note: If calling from outside the UAEU organization, dial (+971 3 713) before the extension.

Name	Position	Email	Extension
Prof. Basel Ramadi	Professor and Chair	ramadi.b@uaeu.ac.ae	7529
Prof. Gulfaraz Khan	Professor	g_khan@uaeu.ac.ae	7482
Prof. Tahir A. Rizvi	Professor	tarizvi@uaeu.ac.ae	7514
Dr. Mariam B. Bakhit Al Shamisi	Associate Professor	mshamsi@uaeu.ac.ae	7711
Dr. Mushtaq Khan	Associate Professor	mushtaq.khan@uaeu.ac.ae	7480
Dr. Farah Ibrahim Al-Marzooq	Assistant Professor	f.almarzooq@uaeu.ac.ae	7481
Dr. Zakeya N. AL Rasbi	Assistant Professor	rasbi@uaeu.ac.ae	7515

Staff

Note: If calling from outside the UAEU organization, dial (+971 3 713) before the extension.

Name	Position	Email	Extension
Ms. Akela A. Ghazawi	Medical Research Specialist I	akelag@uaeu.ac.ae	7648
Ms. Ghada B. Mohamed	Medical Research Technician	ghadab@uaeu.ac.ae	7453
Ms Lizna Ali	Medical Research Specialist I	lizna@uaeu.ac.ae	7790
Ms. Sumaya Hasan KH Zoughbor	Medical Research Specialist I	sumayahasan@uaeu.ac.ae	7510
Ms. Pretty S. Philip	Medical Research Specialist I	prettys@uaeu.ac.ae	7646
Mr. Yassir A. Mohamed	Medical Research Specialist I	yassirmohamed@uaeu.ac.ae	7751

General Enquiries

Thank you for your interest in the Microbiology and Immunology Department. We welcome your query and encourage you to contact us using the information below:

United Arab Emirates University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences

P.O.Box: 15551, Al Ain, UAE, Email.          

cmhs.office@uaeu.ac.ae