Unveiling the legacy of the UAB Department of Microbiology, part 1
- Written by: Teresa Hicks
- Published: April 5th, 2024
The UAB Department of Microbiology has undergone a remarkable journey of growth and transformation since its founding in 1945. Initially consisting of just three faculty members primarily focused on anti-infectives research, the department's trajectory shifted dramatically with the recruitment of immunologists, notably Raymond Hiramoto, Ph.D., in 1966.
In 1965, J. Claude Bennett, M.D., who later became president of UAB, joined as an associate professor in the Department of Medicine and became chair of the Department of Microbiology in 1970. He played a significant role in growing and advancing the departments of Microbiology and later Medicine, as well as the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology.
It was through his visionary leadership and his partnership with John R. Durant, M.D., who served as Director of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and later headed the UAB Medical Center, that the department expanded with new recruitments. These pivotal moments marked the expansion of the department's research focus to include both microbiology and immunology.
The department secured approximately $17.6 million in NIH funding in 2023, earning its No. 12 ranking in the country among microbiology departments. This achievement has further established the department’s reputation as a research powerhouse—a vision upheld by esteemed figures within the department such as Peter Burrows, Ph.D., emeritus professor; John Kearney, Ph.D., distinguished professor; Charles Turnbough, Ph.D., emeritus professor; and renowned HIV/AIDS researcher, Eric Hunter, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, and co-director of the Emory Center for AIDS research.
The Heersink School of Medicine communications team sat with Burrows, Kearney, Turnbough, and Hunter to delve deeper into the department's origins, the expansion of its research community, and the firsthand experiences of being pioneers in HIV research.
Overcoming challenges and building recognition
In its early stages, the department aimed to establish itself as a respected research institution, focusing on fundamental research. This was highlighted by the pioneering work of Roy Curtiss, III, Ph.D., who was at the forefront of the recombinant DNA revolution, and Jiri Mestecky, Ph.D., a pioneer in Mucosal Immunology.
However, the journey to complete this goal was met with considerable challenges due to its initial lack of recognition within the research community.
“We were driven to establish ourselves as a research powerhouse,” Kearney said. “Yet, as a department within a new institution, it was challenging to gain recognition."
The lack of recognition had tangible consequences for the department, particularly in the realm of securing research funding. With its credibility yet to be firmly established, the department encountered difficulties in attracting the necessary financial support crucial for its growth and development.
"Initially, it was challenging for UAB and the department to secure grant funding,” Burrows said. “We worked diligently to establish a reputation and a presence in the research field.”
However, that trajectory shifted as the recruitment of renowned scientists began to increase.
A growing research community
As the UAB Department of Microbiology gained traction, leadership in the department prioritized the recruitment of world-class scientists. This included Richard Compans, Ph.D., an internationally recognized influenza virus researcher, who was recruited from Rockefeller University to lead a molecular virology group in the department, as well as David Bishop, Ph.D., from Rutgers University.
Many scientists held joint appointments, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across disciplines.
"Our goal was to foster a culture of cross-collaboration," Turnbough said. "This led to everyone being invested in each other’s success, forming support networks among other departments. As a result, it proved highly effective, enhancing our ability to make meaningful advancements in research."
In the early 1980s, the department accomplished a remarkable milestone by securing the ranking of No. 1 among microbiology departments nationwide for NIH funding. This achievement highlighted the department's rapid progression and its ability to secure substantial research funding, outperforming microbiology departments across the nation.
“Just within a few years, the department had ranked as the number one funded microbiology department in the U.S.,” Turnbough said. “This was remarkable considering the university was only 11 years old at the time.”
Pioneering HIV/AIDS research
As the HIV epidemic emerged in the 1980s, the department positioned itself at the forefront of the fight against the disease. Its recruitment of scientists like Hunter, whose expertise in retroviruses aligned with the study of HIV/AIDS, marked a significant turning point.
In 1989, the department achieved another significant milestone as it became one of the inaugural seven centers for AIDS research funded in the U.S. This recognition highlights its commitment to tackling one of the most pressing health challenges of the time.
The journey towards establishing the UAB Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), a dynamic hub for HIV research in Alabama, began in early 1988 when the NIH released a request for applications. Hunter was approached to be the principal investigator of that application.
Notably, the recruitment of esteemed scientists such as George Shaw, M.D., Ph.D., and Beatrice Hahn, M.D., who had already been involved in HIV research alongside Michael Saag, M.D., professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases, further enhanced the department.
"Alongside them [Shaw, Hahn, Saag] and internationally recognized investigators in virology and immunology, we had the expertise necessary to put the application together,” Hunter explained. “By 1996, the department was considered one of the top centers for AIDS research in the country.”
Hunter served as the founding director of CFAR and continued in this role for 16 years. The center brought together investigators from across the campus, fostering a multidisciplinary approach with contributions from immunologists, clinicians, pathologists, and pediatricians.
The UAB Department of Microbiology's evolution into a global leader in microbiological research reflects a journey marked by resilience and innovation.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this series, during which we’ll explore the UAB Department of Microbiology’s highlights from the late 1990s through today.
Source: https://www.uab.edu/medicine/microbiology/news-events/department-news/unveiling-the-legacy-of-the-uab-department-of-microbiology-part-1
Contact:
Adam Pope, M.Ed., APR | Manager, Public Relations
University Relations | Public Relations
UAB | The University of Alabama at Birmingham
P: 205.410.1353 | arpope@uab.edu
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