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 pathogenic bacteria of the airway and gut, HIV/AIDS, insect- and rodent-borne viruses, herpes viruses, papillomaviruses, 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.
Prokaryotic Seminar
Monday, 3/1/21 4pm
Isabella Rauch, PhD :: Oregon HSU
“Inflammasome mediated intestinal epithelial defense against pathogens“
Virology Seminar
Coming Soon
Microbiology Seminar
Wednesday, 3/3/21 12pm: Virtual Seminar
William Petri, PhD :: UVA
“Cryptosporidiosis in infants in Bangladesh: Parasite genetic diversity, host immunity and health impact“
Symposium II: The Developing COVID-19 Epidemic, July 8, 2020 (All Talks)
(sponsored by the Penn Center for Research on Coronavirus and Other Emerging Pathogens)
Symposium I: The Coronavirus Outbreak, April 3, 2020 (All Talks)
(sponsored by the Penn Center for Research on Coronavirus and Other Emerging Pathogens)