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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.

Departmental Events

  • Prokaryotic Seminar

    Monday, May 5, 2025, 4pm, 209 Johnson Pav

    Jacob Cote :: Pohlschroder Lab

    “Mutants in Motion: Identification and Characterization of Novel Motility Regulation Genes in the Model Archaeon Haloferax volcanii”

  • Virology Seminar

    Tuesday, May 6th, 2025, 12pm, 209 Johnson Pav

    Nikki Tanneti, PhD, Weiss Lab :: Gabby Scher, PhD, Hensley Lab

    "Risk factors for MERS-CoV infection"

    “Effects of prior immunization with a 20HA mRNA-LNP vaccine on subsequent heterologous HA mRNA-LNP vaccinations”

  • Microbiology Seminar

    Wednesday, May 7th, 2025, 12pm, CRB Austrian Auditorium

    Jeffrey Lifson, MD :: Frederick National Laboratory

    Retroviral Vignettes"

     

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