The Department of Microbiology at Kasturba Medical College, Manipal was founded in 1963 and is presently located at the Centre for Basic Sciences Building. Over years the department has witnessed seminal progress in the field of medical microbiology leading to National and International Reputation. The Department actively involves in teaching, Clinical diagnostic services to the tertiary care hospitals and adjoining health care's systems in the state and is endowed with research capabilities. Core areas of research pivots around all the major branches of medical microbiology; viz. immunology, serology, ICTC/HIV surveillance, Aerobic bacteriology, Anaerobic bacteriology, Mycobacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology, Molecular biology of infectious diseases and Microbial surveillance in hospital and community settings.

The department hosts an array of major laboratories which include; Immunology laboratory, Serology laboratory, ICTC/HIV surveillance laboratory, Aerobic bacteriology laboratory, Antimicrobial testing laboratory, Anaerobic bacteriology laboratory, Mycobacteriology laboratory, Mycology laboratory, Parasitology laboratory, Molecular biology laboratory. This laboratory caters to the diagnostic services and derives a constant source of research problems faced in the clinical medicine. All the laboratories have expertise, state of the art infrastructure and automation to function independently to carry out research. Proximity to diverse Faculty streams (Medicine, Dental, Pharmacology, Nursing, Allied Health, Engineering field) in the University campus and cohesive nature of laboratories under the ambit of Microbiology department with specific thrust areas of research enables cross pollination of research ideas and fuels active discussion and interdisciplinary and translational research. 

Key Features

• HIV ICTC (Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre) housed at the microbiology department is one of the best among the 10 State Reference Laboratory (SRL) in Karnataka State
• Mycobacteriology Laboratory is recognized as  ‘Designated Microscopy Centre’ for Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
• Research Mentoring for MBBS students  – Indian council of Medical Research (ICMR) Short term studentship (STS) Grants
• Teacher Guardian Programme for MBBS Students
• Guiding and supporting M.D. Dissertations
  
• Mandatory Oral/Posters presentation by MD Postgraduates in State / National Conferences and CMEs
• Student Career support by taking part in Campus Recruitment conducted by University
• Integrated teaching practice in MBBS curriculum
• 24x7 emergency laboratory services.

Collaborations

• Cambridge India (CIPF) Collaboration in the research area of Melioidosis
• defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE) India collaboration on Melioidosis
• NIH - NIAID Clinical Infectious Disease collaboration on Cryptococcosis Research
• HIV ICTC Laboratory one of the 10 State Reference Laboratory (SRL) in Karnataka State
• Mycobacteriology Laboratory Designated Microscopy Centre for Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

About the Area of Study

Medical Microbiology is an ever-evolving dynamic science. It is a specialized branch of microbiology which deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. The microorganisms involved in infectious diseases are diverse ranging from; bacteria, fungi, parasite and viruses and all of them pose a potential health risk to individuals and the community. Overcrowded settlements, malnutrition, poor hygienic practices triggers increased proportion of infectious diseases in the population. Medical microbiologists strive to understand and monitor a range of diverse pathogenic microorganisms like investigations on the ecology, epidemiology, modes of transmission, nature of virulence, treatment modalities of infectious disease play a major role in abatement of disease outbreaks. Medical Microbiologist strives to understand the host-parasite relationship and immune Mechanisms, study microbial flora and its importance in health and disease, etiopathology of common infections and opportunistic pathogens, develop tests for rapid lab diagnosis to support clinical diagnosis, helps in the choice of antimicrobial agents for treatment, sets guidelines for sterilization and biomedical waste disposal practices, guide in immunotherapy and vaccine for prevention of infectious diseases, provides awareness on national health programs for prevention of communicable diseases.