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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

Go to Department of Microbiology's Bluesky

Departmental Events

ProK and Virology Trainee Seminar
Tuesday, Oct 6: 12pm; 209 Johnson Pavilion

Rachel Braun, Cherry Lab :: Jack Dowling, Weitzman Lab

“Tristetraprolin-mediated decay of interferon mRNAs controls diverse pathologies”

"The Adenovirus Splicing Regulator L4-33K Couples Alternative Splicing with Genome Organization”
Microbiology Seminar
Wednesday, Oct 7: 12pm in Austrian Auditorium, RRB (CRB)

Claire Deleage, PhD :: Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

"The complete tissue picture: Multiplexed spatial biology unleashed"

More Events