Adina Genn //October 30, 2024//
Credit: Constance Brukin Photography
Stony Brook University department named ‘Milestones in Microbiology’ site
Credit: Constance Brukin Photography
Adina Genn //October 30, 2024//
Stony Brook University’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, in the Renaissance School of Medicine, was named a “Milestones in Microbiology” site. The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) awarded the recognition for the department’s advancements in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases globally.
“The designation of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology as a Milestones in Microbiology Site is an honor and recognizes the impact the Department has made through its groundbreaking discoveries,” David Thanassi, the chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, said last week in a news release about the designation.
“This distinction not only reinforces the significant contributions of our former and current faculty, students and staff, but also raises the profile of the Department and University to the wider scientific community,” Thanassi added.
The department is the second on Long Island to earn this recognition, with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory also holding this designation since 2012. There are 20 other organizations that have received this distinction.
“ASM is delighted to recognize Stony Brook University’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology as a ‘Milestones in Microbiology’ site for its significant contributions to the microbial sciences,” Theresa Koehler, ASM president said in the news release.
“The university’s pioneering work investigating causative agents of human diseases have had far-reaching impacts in the sciences and society at large,” Koehler added.
The distinction was awarded for various achievements, according to the news release. Those achievements include a “landmark discovery” by Joseph Kates, the department’s founding chair, that “viruses could package enzymes required for their replication, with the first demonstration of the vaccinia virus encapsulating the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase enzyme,” laying the groundwork “for targeting viral polymerases as a widespread therapeutic strategy.”
Another achievement was the discovery of Borrelia burgdorferi, “the causative agent of Lyme disease,” by Jorge Benach and his colleagues, “along with its isolation from patients and characterization of its environmental reservoir,” advancing antibiotic therapies.
Still another achievement was the “first description of the de-novo chemical-biochemical synthesis of a virus (poliovirus) in the absence of a natural template” by Eckard Wimmer and the “co-discovery of the human receptor of polio virus. This marked the beginning of the total synthesis of microorganisms in the absence of natural templates, enabling new strategies in virus vaccine development.”
Leaders in the department said the recognition serves as an inspiration.
“As a member of the faculty for several decades, it has been inspiring to witness the emergence of ideas and findings in which the outcomes have had such tremendous impact,” Distinguished Professor Carol Carter said in the news release. “Over the years, I have worked with incredible colleagues, students and supporting staff.”
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