The UNL Microbiology Initiative (MBI) is an interdepartmental research and training program in Microbiology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The initiative brings together a dynamic and diverse group of faculty with a shared interest in Microbiology. Faculty research emphases include virology, infectious disease, host-pathogen interactions, microbial genetics, microbial physiology, and microbial diversity and ecology. Outstanding research facilities provide faculty, students and postdoctoral trainees a state-of-the-art environment to conduct research. The breadth and diversity of the Microbiology research community at the University of Nebraska fosters collaborations between labs with shared research interest, and that bridge diverse disciplines. Current collaborations include the Nebraska Center for Virology, food safety, and novel approaches for control pathogenic fungi.