The Committee on Microbiology provides its students with specialized research training in multiple areas of microbial science. Recent breakthroughs in genomics, imaging, and analytical methods are revolutionizing the study of microbes. Our research in microbiology extends from the molecular to the microbiome/community scale, and is yielding new understanding of processes ranging from the pathophysiology of microbial infection to the evolutionary ecology of plant-microbe interactions. Microbes have had a profound impact on human life both historically and currently. These nanometer- to micron-sized entities influence the evolution and diversity of all plants and animals on our planet, and drive geochemical transformations that shape terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. We encourage students interested in graduate study in Microbiology at The University of Chicago to apply by December 1 to the Biological Sciences Graduate Division.