The mission of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program is to support and enhance community-based research of health conditions and events associated with infectious etiologies and to translate these results into healthier outcomes for the people served by UTMB and the state of Texas.  A multidisciplinary approach to research is facilitated through teaching, mentoring, and strong collaborations with UTMB faculty and staff from a broad range of programs, other UT institutions, and leaders in the public health and private sectors. A state-of-the-art molecular epidemiology core laboratory for real-time detection and genetic characterization of infectious disease agents supports epidemiologic studies, laboratory investigations, and translational research.  The Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program at UTMB was established in 2006 under the umbrella of the Institute for Human Infections and Immunity and in association with the Departments of Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine and Community Health.