Immunology (IMM) is the discipline of biology that examines the mechanisms of host defense against pathogenic agents. The study of the immune system offers a unique opportunity to analyze a complex multicomponent system consisting of molecules and cells that have documented physiologic relevance. Immunology has a strong foundation in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology.
Washington University School of Medicine has a large community of investigators who make immunology their primary focus. The research within our program spans a broad spectrum, ranging from studies at the basic structural and molecular levels of host defense all the way to clinical applications directed at significant health problems, such as cancer immunotherapy. The program in Immunology has grown to include more than 50 research laboratories and continues to increase. This unusual concentration of immunologists was the stimulus that led to the founding of the Immunology graduate program in 1986.
DBBS offers a student-driven course of study that is a flexible, personalized learning pathway designed and led by the student, with oversight and guidance by faculty and staff. This model entrusts and empowers students to take ownership of their education by identifying their academic interests, setting learning goals, and curating a curriculum that aligns with their intellectual passions and career aspirations.
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IMM graduates pursue a variety of careers. Most program graduates go into academia, but many find paths in industry, government, and other fields, like science communication, law, and business and entrepreneurship.
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