Brief Introduction :

Department of Bacteriology is the oldest department of the Haffkine Institute. In 1896, plague broke out in Bombay in an epidemic form. Dr. Haffkine was invited by the Government to investigate the causes of the plague epidemic and to develop a prophylactic. He started his work in one of the rooms of the Petit Laboratory of Grant Medical College and this was the beginning of the Department of Bacteriology, with the main function of producing plague vaccine. In the year 1947, the Department of Bacteriologythen known as 'Vaccine Department'-supplied 23.5 million ml of plague vaccine, the highest in the history of the Institute. Department gradually undertook the production of Cholera & T.A.B. vaccines. The year 1963 saw the historic peak of supply of 23.5 million ml of cholera vaccine.
 
Its approach has always been to tackle problems of public health, hence carrying out bacteriological analysis of water, food, milk, etc. was also been attached to this Department in the past.
 
Currently, it is ISO 9001:2008 Certified laboratory and good laboratory practices are followed while working in the department.
 
It provides guidance and Research facilities to M.Sc./Ph.D. candidates and Short Term Research Interns (STRIP students). Department is also involved in Microbiological (mainly Bacteria and Fungi) Testing of variety of products.
 
Since its beginning, the department has been involved in research to tackle problems of immediate concern to public health. Hence, Department would continue its legacy of serving to mankind in the future.