The Discipline of Medical Microbiology is a large training and research laboratory within UKZN that also forms part of the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) Academic Complex in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The laboratory is mainly based at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), which is the first quaternary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal consisting of 800 beds and 26 specialty clinics.

The core of the department rests in research and new initiatives that will help define the future of diagnostic infectious diseases, research and education in medical microbiology, pathology, infectious disease and infection control and prevention. The key goal of the department is to provide high quality service which is accessible, affordable and sustainable to the province of KwaZulu-Natal.