Home
Our Department
The inhabitants of Earth are mostly microbes, and their activities are central to human welfare. Microbes can cause disease, but a properly functioning microbiome is essential for health. Microbes spoil food, but drive many forms of food production. Microbes mediate organismic decay, but catalyze numerous geochemical processes essential for life on Earth.
Research in the Penn Microbiology Department focuses on infectious agents that threaten global health, with an emphasis on understanding molecular mechanisms and developing key new methods. Areas of focus include SARS-CoV-2, HIV, pathogenic bacteria of the airway and gut, cancer causing viruses, emerging infectious diseases, and the human microbiome. On the host side, faculty study many areas of immunology related to infection, including innate and adaptive immunity, tumor immunology and vaccine development.
Departmental Events
-
Prokaryotic Seminar
Seminars will resume in Fall 2025
-
Virology Seminar
Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, 12pm, 209 Johnson Pav
Alison Yu, PhD, Price Lab :: Sarah Dysinger, Bates Lab
“Investigation of the phospho-proteome of PKR”
“Unpacking Viral Fitness: Genetic Determinants of Jamestown Canyon Virus Replication in Mosquito Cell Culture”
-
Microbiology Seminar
Wednesday, May 14th, 2025, 12pm, CRB Austrian Auditorium
Tim Sheahan, PhD :: UNC