Exploring the UCLA Molecular Sciences Building and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG)
This article delves into the UCLA Molecular Sciences Building, its significance within the university, and provides information about the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG), including its history, research focus, and contributions to science and medicine. This article will be useful for prospective students, researchers, and anyone interested in learning more about this vital part of UCLA.
Navigating to UCLA and the Annenberg Community Beach House
For those attending events at the Annenberg Community Beach House, here are directions:
- Take the 10 West, which will become Pacific Coast Highway when it reaches the beach.
- Take Pacific Coast Highway south.
- Head west towards Ocean Ave.
- Turn left at Ocean Ave.
- Turn right at Moomat Ahiko Way (after Colorado/the pier entrance) which will have signs for Pacific Coast Highway.
Parking at the Annenberg is available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended to arrive early to secure a parking space. The Big Blue Bus #9 also stops near the Beach House.
Events at the Annenberg Community Beach House
The Garden Terrace Room will host conference meetings, while social and cocktail hours will occur outside the View Deck area (2nd floor). Note that guests may not bring their own food for meals, meetings, and socials, per Annenberg policy. Lunch will be provided to those who registered for the Welcome Lunch Reception. Otherwise, please have lunch prior to your arrival to the Annenberg Community Beach House. Conferences start promptly at 8:45 AM. Dinner will be provided.
The Mission and Vision of the MIMG Department
The MIMG department's mission is to provide the highest quality research and education possible in the fields of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, informed by diverse scientific viewpoints. The department prides itself on its faculty, who are recognized globally for their research. The total research funding they have received ranks among the highest in the country.
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
Research Focus and Contributions
Research conducted within the MIMG department covers a broad range of areas:
- Immunology
- Microbial Biology
- Molecular Genetics
- Parasitology
- Structural and Systems Biology
- Virology
The scientific endeavors of the MIMG department have yielded remarkable contributions in various fields of research and medical advancements. These include reporting many of the earliest atomic resolution cryoEM structures and pioneering studies in host-pathogen interactions. Clinical advancements include pivotal discoveries of BCR-ABL oncoproteins in leukemias, and the co-discovery of the gene for Bruton's tyrosine kinase have significantly impacted the development of targeted therapies for various cancers, including the first targeted therapy for chronic myelogenous leukemia, Gleevec. Methods for expressing antibody genes in lymphoid cells have paved the way for the genetic engineering of antibodies and antibody-based therapeutics. The cloning of HTLV II, a human T-cell leukemia virus, contributed to diagnostic tests widely used in blood banks globally and the development of the first animal model for HIV pathogenesis.
The department collaborates closely within itself and with other institutes, centers, and departments at UCLA to advance its interdisciplinary research and teaching missions.
A Brief History of MIMG
MIMG was formed by fusing two departments: Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (M&MG) from the UCLA College of Letters and Science, and Microbiology and Immunology (M&I) from the UCLA School of Medicine.
- Early Years: Bacteriology became a regular undergraduate course offering in 1933 in the College of Letters and Science, and Bacteriology became an independent department in 1935. Greatly expanded facilities for research became available in 1955 when the Department moved into the newly constructed Life Sciences Building.
- Evolving Names: Reflecting a changing research emphasis, the name was changed from the Department of Bacteriology to the Department of Microbiology and, in 1989, to the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. The Department of Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Medicine was founded in 1948 as the Department of Infectious Diseases.
- Relocation and Renaming: Initially, the research of the department was performed at V.A. Hospitals in the San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, and West Los Angeles. In 1953, the School of Medicine building was completed, and the Department moved to the Center for the Health Sciences. In 1964, the unit was renamed the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and in 1974 became the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
- The Merger: Over time, the interests of both M&MG and M&I had diversified to include the study of bacteria, viruses, parasites, the immune system and cancer, and both departments evolved into similar entities. The major distinguishing feature was that M&MG was responsible for undergraduate education, while M&I focused on medical students. Acting on the perception that duplicate departments existed, a move for consolidation was initiated in 1995 by Dr. Jerry Levey, who was then Dean of the School of Medicine, and Dr. Fred Eiserling, former Dean of Life Sciences (and past chair of M&MG). In 1996 the faculty of both departments voted to approve a merger, and a key issue was the appointment of a chair to lead the new department and its consolidation.
- Joint Operation: Since several years would be required to obtain formal approval from the UCLA Academic Senate and the UC Office of the President, a policy of reciprocal joint appointments was adopted to effectively merge the departments. This was accompanied by the formation of a common teaching pool, a move toward the establishment of equity in teaching responsibilities, and the formation of a common administrative core. In 1997, the two departments began functioning as a single academic unit, although the merger was not officially approved until 2001.
Leadership and Reporting Structure
The inaugural Chair position was offered to Dr. A reporting structure was established early on in which the chair of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG) reports to both the Dean of the Division of Life Sciences of the UCLA College and the Dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine. Financial support and program commitments are provided by both units, while organizational oversight is facilitated by the Assistant Dean of Life Sciences, in collaboration with the Sr. Assoc. After 10 years as department chair, Dr. Sherie Morrison stepped down as Department Chair in 2002 and a search for a new chair was initiated. After an extensive internal and external search, Dr. Jeff F. Miller was offered the position and stepped in as Department Chair on July 1, 2002. After 12 years, Dr. Miller transitioned to Director of CNSI in November 2014 and Dr. Morrison stepped in as interim Chair, while a search was conducted for a replacement.
Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA
Incident at the Molecular Sciences Building
An incident occurred at the Molecular Sciences Building involving a "hazardous materials incident". UCLA Fire Marshal Ricardo Barboza said the explosion occurred in a fume hood that had been set up for a research experiment, adding that UCLA Environment, Health & Safety will test water to check for contamination. Steve Lurie, the associate vice chancellor for campus and community safety, said he does not know when the building will be reopened.
Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors
tags: #ucla #molecular #sciences #building #information
