About the Department
The department of Microbiology and Immunology is in charge of teaching several courses for the general pharmacy program including basic microbiology and immunology, clinical microbiology, pharmaceutical microbiology, biotechnology, parasitology, pathology, and public health. After introducing the clinical program in 2007, two courses on cell biology and pathophysiology were added to the department teaching-load. All the courses include lectures and practical sessions. The student evaluation is based on three exams i.e. written, practical and oral. The department staff strived to establish a research facility in the department. Step by step, the basic devices and instruments of a modern microbiological lab were brought. A laminar airflow clean bench, balances, ovens, shakers, autoclaves, basic chemicals and media were necessary to prepare the laboratory for basic research activities. By 2014, new devices have been introduced such as PCR, horizontal and vertical gel electrophoresis units, centrifuges and microtiter plate readers. We have a commitment to continue the effort to have an up-to-date microbiology lab. Research in the department deals with several topics within clinical microbiology. The research goal is to investigate the prevalence of microbial pathogens in clinical isolates and determination of the antimicrobial sensitivities of the isolated pathogens. Other research lines are also adopted such as the study the microbial degradation of soil contaminants, production of bacteriocins and screening for novel antibiotics as well as the study of phages and phage lytic enzymes. Research on enzymes of industrial values has also been done such as characterization of pectinases enzymes.