Research
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology enjoys a high research profile nationally and internationally. Our research interests are broad, covering topics as diverse as the bacterial and viral populations of soil and saltwater lakes, the epidemiology and molecular pathogenesis of intestinal infections of humans, the mechanisms of immunity to viral infections, the immunological basis of autoimmunity, and the design and development of novel vaccines.
Our reputation in research productivity and research training is second to none. At any one time approximately 70 PhD students are enrolled through the Department. Nine of our staff are chief investigators on five separate NH&MRC program grants - NHMRC's most prestigious award. In addition, we hold several NH&MRC and ARC project grants.For the past several years, the Department's income from both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed research grants has been the highest of any department in the University of Melbourne.
Our laboratories were recently renovated and are fitted out to a high standard with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. We also we also enjoy close research collaborations with many prominent groups and individuals at neighbouring institutions, as well as with colleagues interstate and overseas.
Further details of the specific research interests and activities of the individual laboratory heads are available at their web sites.