The mission of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology is to provide comprehensive scientific instruction to students, conduct novel and meaningful research, and offer consultation and service in microbiology and immunology as they relate to human health and disease.
Since its founding in 1935, the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology has significantly advanced the study of infectious diseases and immunity. Our renowned faculty lead research on bacterial, fungal, protozoan, and viral pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycobacterium sp., Brucella sp., Listeria, Blastomyces, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida, influenza virus, Herpes simplex, enterohemorrhagic E. coli, and uropathogenic Escherichia coli. They also explore immunological topics including regulatory T cell biology, leukocyte migration and vaccine development. Additionally, our labs study the roles of diet, the immune system and the gut-brain-axis in the intestinal microbiome.
Meet Our Researchers
Gustavo Caballero-Flores, PhD
“Since my very first biology classes, I have always been intrigued by the microscopic organisms present in our body, and all around us, and how we interact with them every day without realizing it.”
John Williams, PhD
“Viruses are like super cool little beasts. Plus, disease always involves the virus and the host – that biological conversation fascinates me.”
Yiran Hou, PhD
“I’m a rock climbing addict! I love solving problems on the wall with friends.”
Upcoming Events
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Oct10
Collaborating with the Host to Kill the Pathogen Dr. Corrie Detweiler, University of Colorado @ 12:00 pm CDT 1520 MSB
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Oct31
Regulation of Type I Interferon Receptor Signalling Dr. Jan Rehwinkel, University of Oxford @ 12:00 pm CDT 1520 MSB
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Nov07
Mapping the Chemistry of Fungi: Linking Biosynthetic Genes to Metabolite Structures Dr. Sung Chul Park, UW-Madison @ 12:05 pm CST 1520 MSB
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Nov14
Tuft Cells at the Nexus of Diet, Microbiome, and Mucosal Immunity Dr. Claire O'Leary, UW-Madison @ 12:00 pm CST - 12:50 pm CST 1520 MSB
Recent News
John Williams Lab Paper Accepted into Journal of National Library of Medicine
We’re pleased to share a new research article from faculty member Dr. John V. Williams and his lab, titled “Limited nasal interferon production contributes to delayed respiratory virus clearance and suboptimal vaccine responses,”published in JCI …
Dr. David Andes Receives AAC Service Award
Congrats to David Andes, MD, William A. Craig Endowed Professor and chief, Infectious Disease, who received the Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (AAC) Extraordinary Service Award from the American Society of Microbiology! The Antimicrobial Agents and …
Dr. Federico Rey and Trainee Vaibhav Vemuganti Publish Commentary in Nature
Dr. Federico Rey, with Ph.D. student Vaibhav Vemuganti, published a commentary in the journal Nature regarding the role of the microbiome-produced molecule, imidazole propionate, in promoting atherosclerosis. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-02060-5
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