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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.

Penn Micro on Bluesky

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Departmental Events

  • Prokaryotic Seminar

    Monday, December 15: 4pm in 209 Johnson Pavilion

    Samantha Whiteside, PhD, John Lab

    “Move over 16S: Using breath volatiles to study the microbiome”

  • Virology Seminar

    Seminars will resume in January, 2026

  • Microbiology Seminar

    Wednesday, December 17: 12pm in ***BRB Gaulton*** Auditorium

    Andy Pekosz, PhD :: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

    “Virus Surveillance and the Identification of Novel Genetic Mutations that Facilitate Virus Circulation”

     

     

     

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