University Times

Pitt's School of Medicine has announced the formation of a new Department of Immunology for more than 30 of its faculty members currently working in various departments on research projects in immunology, as well as for teaching and training students and fellows.

Immunology, the study of the immune system, is a formal academic discipline with impact on many other basic and clinical disciplines. Current immunology research at Pitt includes transplant immunology, autoimmunity, cancer immunology, viral immunology (HIV/AIDS) and immunology of infectious disease.

Traditionally, immunology has been practiced within departments of microbiology, pathology, infectious diseases, medicine and surgery.

"The trend in recent years has been to create stand-alone academic departments of immunology in recognition of the growth and importance of this scientific discipline," said Olivera Finn, professor and acting chairperson of the new Department of Immunology and leader of the immunology program at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

"A Department of Immunology at the University of Pittsburgh recognizes our long-standing excellence in immunology research and training."

"We are extremely excited about the formation of the new Department of Immunology," said Arthur S. Levine, senior vice chancellor for the Health Sciences and dean, School of Medicine. "It will provide a needed academic home for the innovative research in immunology we are currently conducting and foster the further development and visibility of this discipline."

Levine added that he expects that the new department will allow the University to flourish in basic immunology research by integrating and combining faculty strengths. n

The new department is expected to recruit immunologists involved in the newest areas of investigation in the development, genetics and molecular mechanisms of the immune response.