The department of Microbiology provides comprehensive clinical diagnostic services in the field of infectious diseases and immunological disorders through its high skilled and dedicated team along with state-of–the–art diagnostic NABL accredited facilities. The department of microbiology has various laboratories offering diagnostic services and houses research facilities which include; Serology and Immunology laboratory, Aerobic bacteriology laboratory, Anaerobic bacteriology laboratory, Mycobacteriology laboratory, Mycology laboratory, Parasitology laboratory, Molecular diagnostic facilities, Hospital surveillance, Media Preparation and Sterilization facilities. These laboratories cater to the needs of Postgraduate teaching with the latest equipment. The department strictly complies with the MCI laid regulations governing the under graduate MBBS and Postgraduate (MD) courses. The department has recent technologies like MALDI-TOF system (Vitek MS) for microbial identification and VITEK for susceptibility testing. Blood culture is done by BACT alert system while the Mycobacteriology lab has all the facilities including LED microscopy, LJ and MGIT culture, HAINS test and GeneXpert system. The Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) for HIV testing in Department of Microbiology is being funded by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) and the department is recognized as one among the 10 State Reference Laboratory (SRL) for HIV testing in Karnataka State. Both the ICTC and SRL labs are accredited by NABL since 2014 and the Mycobacteriology Laboratory in the Department of Microbiology is the designated Microscopy Centre (DMC) for diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in the Karnataka State.

With modest funding from national and international agencies, the department collaborates with faculty and students of other departments and constituent institutions to carry out funded research, Doctoral thesis, Postgraduate Dissertations and Undergraduate projects.

The main thrust areas of research are Melioidosis, Tuberculosis, Enteric pathogens, Antimicrobial resistance stewardship and Hospital acquired infections.