About MaPS

The Department of Microbiology & Physiological Systems was founded in 2010 to combine the forces of two departments, one focused on microbiology, genetics and immunology, and the other focused on physiology. Capitalizing on the strengths of each, MaPS has strong and synergistic expertise in bacterial and viral pathogenesis, immunology, signal transduction and fundamental cellular physiology. Departmental research targets viral and bacterial pathogens affecting the nervous, respiratory and digestive systems.

MaPS faculty combine experimental and computational methods to understand the complex interactions between the host, the pathogen and the natural resident microbial community. Our department works to understand how these networks change from normal physiology to disease, and is focused on the development of computational models that simulate infection and new approaches to disease-specific diagnostics, prognostics and therapeutics.

MaPS research shows exciting potential as new patterns of human interaction, changes in global climate, and the emergence of drug resistance have contributed to world-wide epidemics, such as COVID-19, AIDS, influenza and tuberculosis.

MaPS is a vibrant, growing and highly interactive scientific community that feeds and complements UMass Chan Medical School’s growth in translational research.