Roles
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Director Program in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS)
Glassell Family Center for Marine Biomedicine
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Biography
George Patrick Munson, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and serves as Director of the Programs in Biomedical Sciences (PiBS). He joined the Miller School faculty in 2001 and was promoted to tenured Associate Professor in 2009. A South Florida native, he was born and raised in Broward County. He received BA from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. After graduation he particpated in a research program at the Department of Energy's Agonne National Laboratory where he studied the effects of ionizing radiation on gene expression. Afterwards he was employed as a research assistant at Loyola University Medical School in Chicago investigating the causes of wasting syndrome in mice. He earned his doctorate at Northwestern University where his studies were focused on the biochemistry of metallo-proteins and the genetics of copper resistance in bacteria. He also conducted research at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Post-doctoral studies at Emory University expanded his training into the field of bacterial pathogenesis and laid the foundation for the launch of his career at the University of Miami. -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
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Teaching Interests
An engaged educator and mentor, Dr. Munson directs and teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses across the biomedical curriculum. He has also trained and mentored postdoctoral fellows, Ph.D. students, master’s students, and undergraduate researchers. Current teaching responsibilities include:
NextGen MedEd Content Expert
PIB790 Grant Writing Basics for Biomedical Graduate Students
PIB780 Ethical and Responsible Conduct of Research
PIB783 Professional Development: Skills for Success I
PIB783 Professional Development: Skills for Success II
MIC728 Principles of Immunology
MIC623 Mechanisms of Microbial Virulence
MIC323 Microbial Pathogenesis and Physiology
MIC751 Advanced Topics in Microbiology & Virology -
Research Interests
The molecular and cellular biology of the bactericidal pore-forming protein Perforin-2 (MPEG1) is a major area of emphasis within the Munson laboratory. Concurrently we are using multidisciplinary approaches to discover and characterize bacterial effectors that subvert or inhibit the bactericidal activity of Perforin-2 with a particular emphasis on enteric and multidrug resistant pathogens. We are also developing heavy chain only antibodies to advance our Perforin-2 studies. Unlike conventional immunoglobulins this class of antibodies –often referred to as VHHs, llama-bodies, or nanobodies– lack light chains. Because the paratope resides within a single domain, nanobodies are easily engineered and can be expressed in a variety of species including bacteria. Other areas of research include a novel protein modification and secretion system of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and transcriptional regulators of bacterial virulence. -
Publications
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Professional Activities
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