About us
At the Department of Microbiology, Monash University, we harness the power of microbial science to solve global challenges and safeguard human, animal and planetary health. We are the premier dedicated Department of Microbiology in Australia with a history of more than 60 years of contributing world class discovery research and education transforming our understanding of microbial life and securing a healthier future
Comprising more than 20 research groups, our Department is focused on improving the human condition through the delivery of highest quality science, the generation of new knowledge across the full spectrum of microbiology, and the development of innovative strategies to combat current and future health and environmental challenges. Our research has revealed new mechanisms for how pathogens invade the body, evade the immune system, and resist antimicrobial treatment. This understanding has allowed us to develop new vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics. In parallel, we have discovered new microbes that control the cycling of greenhouse gases and have used this knowledge to reduce emissions from the agriculture and waste sectors. Highest quality education and research training is integrated into everything we do, ensuring that emerging teachers, biotechnologists, entrepreneurs and research scientists - including more than 50 currently enrolled PhD students - gain the real-world skills needed to challenge the status quo and succeed in their chosen careers.
The Department operates at the intersection of discovery and education within the internationally recognised Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI). Situated in the heart of the Clayton campus biomedical precinct, our teams leverage BDI’s state-of-the-art platforms, from high-resolution cryo-EM to genomics and computational biology resources and advanced PC2 teaching and research facilities, to turn foundational discoveries into real world impacts. Through BDI's extensive ecosystem, our reach extends into a vast collaborative network of national and international institutes, healthcare networks, and industry partners.