Microbiology and Immunology
-
Thursday All dayDoherty Institute Q&A
Event -
Patrick Günther PhD Completion Research Seminar
Friday 22nd February 3.30pm - in the Auditorium, Peter Doherty Institute.
News -
In conversation with Prof Roy Robins-Browne and Dr Danielle Ingle
Welcome to our five-part video series: 'In Conversation with Prof Roy Robins-Browne and Dr Danielle Ingle'.In this series, Professor Roy Robins-Browne (Dept. Microbiology & Immunology, Doherty Institute) and Dr Danielle Ingle (previously Dept. Microbiology & Immunology, Doherty Institute) discuss their experiences during Dr Ingle's PhD, covering topics such as:How to stand out when approaching a potential PhD supervisor,What's involved in a PhD at the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences andHow long it takes to write a PhD.
News -
Thursday 6:30pm - 8:30pmInternational Women's Day 2019: 'My Brilliant Career'
Event -
Seminars - Department of Microbiology and Immunology
All seminars are held in the Doherty Auditorium, Ground Floor.Research Seminars - Held on Thursdays 12.00pm – 1.00pm.Special Research Seminars - In addition to the usual Thursday Research Seminars, there may be occasional Special Research Seminars which could be held at different times.PhD Completion Orations - Held on Friday afternoons from 3.30pm – 4.30pm.Doherty Institute Immunology Theme: Data Presentation Series - Fortnightly on Mondays 1.00pm generally featuring speakers from across the Institute.Seminar attendees are welcome to refreshments in the Doherty Institute Tearoom on Level 5 after every Research Seminar & PhD Completion Oration.
News -
2019 Keyes-Pearce Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory Experience Award Recipients
Congratulations to Tianwei Chen and Claudia Martin, recipients of the 2019 Keyes-Pearce Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory Experience Awards.
News -
Peter Doherty has lunch with The Age
Professor Peter Doherty (Dept. Microbiology & Immunology, Doherty Institute) was featured in 'Lunch with Peter Doherty' in The Saturday Age on 19 January 2019 to promote his book The Incidental Tourist.
News -
Prof Damian Purcell featured in the Australian Financial Review as an expert on HLTV-1
Professor Damian Purcell (Dept. Microbiology & Immunology, Doherty Institute) was featured as an expert on HLTV-1 in the Australian Financial Review's article 'Australia has the highest rates of infection by an HIV-like virus, but no one cares' published on 11 January 2019.
News -
🔊 'Defining a pathogen' with Prof Roy Robins-Browne & Prof Mike Levine (University of Maryland,...
Two world-leaders in microbiology and immunology who became "scientific soulmates" discuss their fight against infectious diseases
News -
A/Prof Thomas Gebhardt and PhD Simone Park's study on tissue resident memory T cells on melanoma re...
Associate Professor Thomas Gebhardt and PhD Simone Park (Dept. Microbiology & Immunology, Doherty Institute)'s study on tissue resident memory T (TRM) cells' role in controlling melanoma, 'Tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells promote melanoma-immune equilibrium in skin', was recently published in Nature and received Australian and international coverage.
News -
Ms Simone Park (PhD) awarded a Cancer Council Victoria Postdoctoral Fellowship
University of Melbourne Research Officer, PhD Simone Park (Dept. Microbiology & Immunology, Doherty Institute), has received a 12 month Cancer Council Victoria Postdoctoral Fellowship to further her research on how tissue resident memory T (TRM) cells control cancer. The Fellowships were established to provide Victorian scientists who have recently completed their PhD with support to continue and enhance their work for a further 12 months.
News -
Prof Katherine Kedzierska recognised in the Australasian Society for Immunology's Newsletter for sci...
A Researcher Profile for Professor Katherine Kedzierska (Dept. Microbiology & Immunology, Doherty Institute) was featured in the Australasian Society for Immunology (ASI)'s December 2018 Newsletter (pp.21-3).
News -
New Bio21 building recognises pioneering women
The University of Melbourne has honoured two of its most revered scientists at the opening of the expanded Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology on Friday 14 December. The new Nancy Millis Building will also be home to the new Margaret Sheil Mass Spectrometry laboratories.
News -
21.9K tune into Biomed Chat
Our Facebook Live Chat event for prospective Bachelor of Biomedicine students has achieved tremendous success. Since the live stream aired last Wednesday evening, the Biomed Chat has reached an audience of 21.9K, receiving 15K views.Bachelor of Biomedicine graduate Philip Qian and Dr Rose McCarty (Anatomy & Neuroscience; Pharmacology & Therapeutics) discussed everything students need to know about studying Biomed in 2019.
News -
School of Biomedical Sciences NHMRC grant success
The NHMRC Project Grants have been formally announced. Our School has been awarded a total of 26 grants, making up for more than a third of the grants awarded by the NHMRC to researchers from the University.Please join us in congratulating the following School members on their successful grants. Special mentions to Professor Katherine Kedzierska for receiving two ARC Discovery Projects and Professor Matthew Watt for receiving two NHMRC Project Grants.
News -
Dr Laura Mackay appointed as the first female President of FIMSA
Dr Laura Mackay (Doherty Institute, Dept. Microbiology & Immunology) continues to kick goals, having just been appointed as the first female President of the Federation of Immunological Societies of Asia-Oceania (FIMSA).
News -
MAIT cells important in immune response to flu
School of Biomedical Sciences (Doherty Institute) and Oxford University researchers have shown a specific immune cell, called MAIT cells, make a key contribution to mounting an immune response against influenza.
News -
2018 Woodward Medal in Science and Technology: Prof Katherine Kedzierska
Professor Katherine Kedzierska (School of Biomedical Sciences) has been awarded the prestigious Woodward Medal in Science and Technology.
News -
Dr Laura Mackay awarded 2019 Viertel Fellowship
Dr Laura Mackay (School of Biomedical Sciences) has been awarded a $1.25 million, five year Viertel Foundation Fellowship to further her research into co-opting the body's existing immune cells to work against viruses and cancers.
News -
A gentleman scientist: Professor Roy Robins-Browne
As one of Australia's most influential and effective teachers of medical microbiology prepares for retirement, his legacy in global science and medical circles lives on. Here's how.
News -
Claire Gorrie wins prestigious Victoria Fellowship
Claire Gorrie, a Doherty Institute (Dept. Microbiology & Immunology) postdoctoral research fellow and bioinformatician, was announced as a recipient of the prestigious Victoria Fellowship.
News -
Dr Daniel Pellicci awarded 2019 CSL Centenary Fellowship
Our congratulations to Dr Daniel Pellicci (Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Doherty Institute) for being awarded a 2019 CSL Centenary Fellowship last Thursday, 11 October 2018.
News -
Prof Shitij Kapur and Prof Stephen Kent among Australia's top health and medical researchers
Professor Shitij Kapur (Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences) and Professor Stephen Kent (Laboratory Head, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Doherty Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences) have been awarded Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) Fellowships.They join Professor Fabienne Mackay (Head of School of Biomedical Sciences) who is an existing AAHMS Fellow.
News -
Immunology: the latest discoveries and discussions
Head of School Professor Fabienne Mackay travels to China for the Frontiers of Immunology in Health & Disease conference.
News -
Dr Brendon Chua wins grant to help fight flu
Department of Microbiology and Immunology researcher awarded inaugural Dean’s Innovation Grant.
News -
New brain cancer therapy options explored
University researcher, Theo Mantamadiotis, leads the study for this important paper.
News -
October issue of Neuro-oncology
Congratulations to Dr Theo Mantamadiotis and his colleagues on having their paper published in the October issue of Neuro-oncology.
News -
Dr Laura Mackay - Michelson Prize Winner 2018
Our congratulations to Dr Laura Mackay (School of Biomedical Sciences and the Peter Doherty Institute) who was awarded the 2018 Michelson Prize for Human Immunology and Vaccine Research in June.
News -
Neutrophils: A Deadly, if Delicate, Killer
Our congratulations to Dr Amy Chung and colleagues, Dept of Microbiology & Immunology, on having their recent publication featured in American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) news.
News -
Global Virus Network Issues Open Letter to WHO On Potent Human Carcinogen - HTLV-1
With comment from Professor Damian Purcell (Dept Microbiology & Immunology) local GVN spokesperson for the Doherty Institute, one of 41 international centres of excellence represented by GVN.
News -
School staff receive University of Melbourne Excellence Awards
Our congratulations to Dr Terry Mulhern (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology) on receiving the David White Award for Teaching Excellence, and to Associate Professor Sammy Bedoui (Microbiology & Immunology) on receiving the Award for Excellence in Internationalisation of Research
News -
$1.5m secured for world-first Buruli ulcer study
Our congratulations to Professor Tim Stinear* and his colleagues on obtaining a NHMRC Project Partnership grant for their research into Buruli ulcer (*Dept Microbiology & Immunology)
News -
Dr Hui-Fern Koay wins Premier's Award for Health and Medical Research
Our congratulations to Dr Fern Koay (Dept Microbiology & Immunology) on winning a Basic Science Researcher Award in the 2018 Premier's Awards for Health and Medical Research
News -
Department of Microbiology & Immunology well-represented in the 24th Victorian PAHMR
Three of the ten shortlisted finalists for the two categories Public Health Researcher and Basic Science Researcher in the PAHMR, are from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
News -
Survival and death rates of a pandemic-potential "bird flu"
Our congratulations to Professor Katherine Kedzierska and her colleagues on publication of their research in Nature Communications
News -
CASS Foundation Grant to support a study testing a DNA vaccine for brain cancer
Congratulations to Dr Theo Mantamadiotis, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, on securing a CASS Foundation Medicine Science Grant for his ongoing research
News -
Understanding immunity towards seasonal Influenza vaccines
Our congratulations to Professor Katherine Kedzierska and colleagues on the publication of their recent research in Science Translational Medicine (Department of Microbiology & Immunology)
News -
Perturbed CD8+ T cell immunity across universal influenza epitopes in the elderly
Congratulations to Professor Katherine Kedzierska* and her co-authors on having their manuscript on immunity to influenza viruses in the elderly selected as the cover story of the February issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology (*Department of Microbiology & Immunology).
News -
Specialist memory immune cells in our skin may unlock new therapies and vaccines
Congratulations to Associate Professor Scott Mueller, Dr Laura Mackay and their colleagues on having their paper published in the prestigious journal Nature Immunology
News -
Three School researchers on the 2017 Highly Cited Researcher List
Our congratulations to Professors Frank R Carbone, Dale I Godfrey and Bill R Heath from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, on appearing on this list of distinguished researchers.
News -
2017 QIAGEN PhD Achievement Awards
Our warmest congratulations to Marios Koutsakos who was the winner of this years award and to Hillary Vanderen who was the runner up.
News -
Professors Dale Godfrey, Cam Simmons and John Furness newly elected Fellows of AAHMS
Our congratulations to Professors Cam Simmons, Dale Godfrey and John Furness on being elected Fellows of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
News -
School's success in NHMRC Funding Outcomes
Our warmest congratulations to all those in our School who were successful in obtaining grants in the latest round of NHMRC Funding.
News -
Dramatic increase in treatment-resistant gonorrhoea over the last year
See Dr Deborah Williamson, Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, interviewed by ABC News 24 about the dramatic increase in treatment-resistant gonorrhoea.
News -
Untreatable superbugs have Australian scientists worried
Radio interview with Professor Ben Howden, Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, discussing the new surveillance system which has revealed worrying levels of highly resistant bugs.
News -
Fascination with microbes was Q to study cattle industry scourge
Dr Hayley Newton, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, awarded the Australian Society for Microbiology Frank Fenner Award for 2017 in recognition of her research.
News -
Professor Cam Simmons program grant top ranked NHMRC program for 2016
Our congratulations to Cam on receiving this recognition of the quality of his NHMRC Program Grant
News -
Congratulations: Hayley Newton and Karena Waller, recipients of prestigious awards from the Australi...
Congratulations: Hayley Newton and Karena Waller, recipients of prestigious awards from the Australian Society for Microbiology
News -
Early intervention by flu border patrol prevents pulmonary infection
Our congratulations to Angela Pizzolla, Linda Wakim and their colleagues from Department of Microbiology and Immunology on publication of their paper in Science Immunology
News -
Innavac receives AU$6.3 million venture capital support from MRCF and Uniseed
Our congratulations to Professor David Jackson (Department of Microbiology & Immunology) and Dr Nathan Bartlett on receiving this funding to support their research
News -
The Flu-Hunters
A crack team of international scientists are dedicated to fighting the flu, tracking its many mutations across the globe. Featured academic: Professor Kanta Subbarao, Department of Microbiology & Immunology.
News -
Kat Holt and Laura Mackay HHMI International Research Scholars
Our congratulations to Kat Holt (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology) and Laura Mackay (Microbiology & Immunology) on being awarded these prestigious awards
News -
Congratulations: Keyes-Pearce Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory Experience Award Recipients
Our congratulations to Katherine Gourley and Lachlan Cain, recipients of the 2017 Keyes-Pearce Microbiology and Immunology Laboratory Experience Awards. As part of these awards, Katherine and Lachlan will complete 4 week research experiences in the laboratories of Assoc. Prof Scott Mueller and Prof. Roy Robins-Browne, respectively, before participating to the Lorne Infection and Immunity Conference. To mark the commencement of these awards, a morning tea was held with the award benefactor, Susan Keyes-Pearce, Head of Department Andrew Brooks, and past and present recipients of these awards.
News -
Hui Fern Koay Wins the 2016 QIAGEN PhD Achievement Award
QIAGEN is the sponsors of the QIAGEN PhD Achievement Award which recognises highly productive PhD students from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne
News -
Department researchers recipients of 2016 Victoria Prizes
Our congratulations to Professor Jim McCluskey (formerly HOD), and to PhD candidate Sarah Baines and Dr Hamish McWilliam, on winning these prestigious prizes.
News -
New funding a game changer for recognition of leading women in science
The future of women in science is stronger today after funding was announced for one of Australia’s most prestigious awards – the Nancy Millis Medal.
News -
Katherine Kedzierska awarded Selwyn-Smith Medical Research Prize
The Selwyn-Smith Medical Research Prize recognises notable research achievements and is awarded by the MDHS Faculty every 3 years.
News -
Congratulations Dr Laura Mackay: Victorian Young Tall Poppy Science Award winner
Dr Laura Mackay has been selected as a 2016 Victorian Young Tall Poppy – an award designed to celebrate up-and-coming scientists who combine world-class research with a passionate commitment to communicating science. Dr Mackay, from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Biomedical Sciences, heads a lab at the Doherty Institute.
News -
A research powerhouse
Dr Pearson swapped rock and roll for microbiology. She was an accomplished drummer touring with the ARIA-nominated rock band Lash when she decided she needed to return to her other love — science.
News -
Breakthrough research spearheads highly effective malaria vaccine
Australian researchers have discovered the secret behind stopping malaria parasites in the liver, uncovering a new vaccine strategy.
News -
Immune cell development secrets revealed
Melbourne researchers have made a major breakthrough in understanding how our immune system produces key infection fighting cells called mucosal-associated invariant T cells or MAIT cells.
News -
Research finds Antarctic penguins infected with avian influenza viruses
A Melbourne researcher has found a new avian influenza virus in Antarctica, causing concern viruses could be reaching the continent more often than previously thought, potentially having implications for the health of the unique species of birdlife.
News -
Get tested, get treated, Hep C researchers urge
Up to 70 per cent of Victorians with suspected hepatitis C may not have received follow-up testing, putting them at risk of chronic liver disease and even cancer, University of Melbourne researchers say.
News -
The immune legions fighting Legionnaires disease
Researchers solve immunity puzzle in lung tissue and reveal previously unknown 'immune cell circuitry' as secret weapon in front line defence against Legionella.
News -
Beyond Zika: 5 nasties on the radar
The Zika emergency seemed to come from nowhere, but there are a host of other viruses making scientists nervous
News -
Global goals to address HIV/AIDS
New Political Declaration on Ending AIDS adopted at UN high level meeting on HIV in New York.
News -
From life in the zoo to breakthroughs in the lab
Professor Fabienne Mackay's passion to make a difference drove a breakthrough in the treatment of lupus
News -
Bully T cells key to next generation flu vaccine
Researchers are one step closer to creating a universal, one-shot influenza vaccine following the discovery that T cells, essential in the immune response to influenza, can recognise and attack emerging, mutant strains of the virus.
News -
Prof Roy Robins-Browne wins Teaching Excellence award
Congratulations Roy!!
News -
Research uncovers 'local heroes' of immune system
Melbourne researchers have uncovered the genes responsible for the way our bodies fight infection at the point of "invasion" - whether it's the skin, the liver, lungs or the gut.
News -
ASM BD Student Awards
Joshua Newson and Georgina Pollock win best presentation award and first runner-up award at the ASM BD Student Awards.
News -
Leading female scientists recognised with Australian Academy of Science awards
A scientist working to develop a one-shot for life flu vaccine and a renowned environmental scientist have been awarded prestigious Australian Academy of Science medals.
News -
Congratulations to Jaclyn Pearson and Shivani Pasricha for their best presentation awards at the Fac...News
-
Multi-tasking flu vaccine could provide better protection against outbreaksNews
-
Professors Jim McCluskey and Jamie Rossjohn awarded the 2015 GSK Award for Research ExcellenceNews
-
Thomas Gebhardt awarded Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Senior Medical Research Fel...
The Sylvia and Charles Viertel Charitable Foundation Senior Medical Research Fellowship is the most prestigious mid-career medical research award in Australia.
News -
Success in 2015 NHMRC and ARC Grants
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology has received $11.3 million in the latest round of NHMRC and ARC funding.
News -
New Deputy Head
Professor Andrew Brooks appointed Deputy Head of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology
News -
Associate Professor Tim Stinear promoted to ProfessorNews
-
Sammy, Thomas and Scott promoted to Associate ProfessorsNews
-
Women in Science
Video featuring Prof. Elizabeth Hartland (Infection and Immunity &/ Women in Science)
News -
2015 MDHS Dean’s Award for Excellence in a PhD Thesis - winners
Congratulations to recipients of the 2015 Dean's Award for Excellence in a PhD Thesis.
News -
Doherty staff elected as fellows of the Australian academy of health and medical sciences
Our congratulations to Professor Sharon Lewin (Director of the Doherty Institute), Professor James McCluskey and Laureate Professor Peter Doherty who were recently elected Fellows of the newly established Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
News
The University of Melbourne is a globally engaged, comprehensive, research-intensive university uniquely positioned to respond to the major social, economic and environmental challenges of our time.
- Research Themes
Our research is encompassed within several broad research themes. This multidisciplinary approach aims to increase the opportunities for researchers to collaborate on projects that span common themes.
View - Research Groups
An overview of our research interests within the department and the project work being carried out by our research groups.
View - Graduate Research
We are passionate about the training and mentoring of the next generation of scientists. A range of research degrees are offered at Master and Doctorate level.
View - Services and Facilities
The School of Biomedical Sciences includes a number of shared research facilities, as well as several research services open to researchers external to the University of Melbourne on a fee for service basis.
View

Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory
MDUPHL provides a comprehensive microbiology service for the investigation of infectious diseases, and food and waterborne outbreaks in Victoria.

Laureate Professor Peter Doherty
Professor Doherty is Head of the Influenza Research Group in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
Research in the Faculty
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences is Australia's largest biomedical research faculty. We employ more than 1500 academic staff, 4000 honorary staff and 1500 graduate researchers undertaking world class research across a wide range of health and social issues in a diverse range of research settings. Researchers are located at key sites across Victoria, with more conducting research around the world. These renowned experts from every field can be found in labs, hospitals, affiliated research institutes and all across the wider community.
Information and support tools for Faculty staff are available on the Faculty intranet.Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned professional, we have something to suit your needs and schedule. With the highest teaching evaluations in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences we are proud to offer our coursework and short course programs to our leaders and future leaders.
-
Degrees
Our degrees, taught by our world-renowned academics are the perfect way to begin in the field of biomedical sciences.
View -
Scholarships, Bursaries and Prizes
The Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences offer an extensive range of scholarships and bursaries to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students.
View -
Student Prizes
Each year there are ten prizes awarded to outstanding students within the Department.
View -
Departmental Student Resources
Support resources for students in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology
View

Honours and Masters by coursework
See our project guide for a wide range of available Honours and Masters projects.
Thank you for engaging with the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences.
-
Alumni
Our pride in our graduates and in their lives spent improving the health and well-being of others is matched by our desire to maintain strong connections with all who have passed through our doors.
View -
Support
We are grateful for the many ways in which our alumni and donors support the work of the Faculty.
View -
Partners
We recognise partnerships and collaborations are an integral facet of our development and a major strength of the school.
View -
Community
The School of Biomedical Sciences includes some of the University's oldest departments and indeed the oldest biomedical science departments in the state of Victoria. For this reason it is host to a number of unique programs of both community and scientific interest.
View

Bo&MeRanG
The Bonn & Melbourne Research and Graduate School (Bo&MeRanG) delivers basic and applied science through innovation, international engagement and training of the next generation of scientists.
Welcome to the Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Professor Andrew Brooks, B.SC (HONS), PHD (FLINDERS)
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology comprises more than 120 academic staff, including 18 full Professors, 80 graduate students and around 30 research groups that are actively involved in microbiology and immunology research and teaching.
Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory
MDUPHL provides a comprehensive microbiology service for the investigation of infectious diseases, and food and waterborne outbreaks in Victoria.
Laureate Professor Peter Doherty
Professor Doherty is Head of the Influenza Research Group in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
A brief history
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Melbourne was established to teach and conduct research in the areas of bacteriology, virology, immunology and biotechnology.