Your support will help us train tomorrow’s scientists

Microorganisms are ubiquitous, abundant and ancient. Since its formation in 1953, the Department of Microbiology continues to meet the world’s bio-challenges by offering graduate and undergraduate students hands-on laboratory and research opportunities that take them to the next level of their education. Our department boasts an international reputation in prokaryotic biology and seeks understanding of the fundamentally important contributions of microorganisms to sustaining life on our planet, of the biology of microbial symbioses including infectious diseases, and of opportunities in biotechnology presented by the vast diversity of the microbial world.

Gifts to Microbiology strengthen the department by helping us provide scholarships, build graduate support, and supplement student travel to conferences around the country. [link to donations]

Given the fundamental importance of microorganisms, they will always be at the forefront of discovery and economic growth. In the next decade, we foresee opportunities for exploring new areas of research in: [link to research]

Synthetic microorganisms- the creation of bacteria for biotechnology, fermentation and other specialized industrial processes. Microorganisms have long been used in industrial processes. Now we have the opportunity to tailor organisms to specific needs in manufacturing.

Training new industrial microbiologists to support our transition to a bio-based economy and to develop sustainable practices for alternative fuel production using microbial catalysts.

Developing new tools for gene, enzyme, and organism discovery related to alternative energy and green chemistry for mimicking natural processes and improved efficiencies of industrial applications.

Interdisciplinary efforts to address the challenges of global climate change.

Extraterrestrial life- with the discovery of water on Mars comes the possibility of microbial life. Right now we are at the point of guessing what it might look like. In two decades, we may be at the point of studying it!

Biomining of the enormous genetic diversity of uncultivated microorganisms through further improvements in metagenome sequencing, other high-throughput technologies, and computational advances.

Eradication of many infectious diseases through advances in antibiotic therapies, understanding the ecology of pathogens, more efficient waste management.