Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of microorganisms (an organism which can be only seen by microscope), which are unicellular or cell-cluster microscopic organisms. Microbiology is a broad term which includes many branches like Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology and others. A person who specializes in the area of Microbiology is called as Microbiologist. Although much progress has been made in this field, according to conservative estimates not more than 1% is known about the microbes in any given environment. Thus, despite the fact that over three hundred years have passed since the discovery of microbes, the field of microbiology is not only in its infancy but also with a huge potential of growth. It is certainly one of the fastest growing fields in terms of career-growth.

One can’t over emphasize the importance of microbiology. Society benefits from Micro-organisms (M.Os) in many ways. They are necessary for the production of bread, cheese, beer, antibiotics, vaccines, vitamins, enzymes and many other important products. Indeed, modern biotechnology rests upon a microbiological foundation. Microorganisms are indispensable components of our ecosystem. They make possible the cycles of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur that takes place in terrestrial and aquatic systems. They are also source of nutrients at the base of all ecological food chains and webs.

Medical microbiologists identify the agent causing an infectious disease and try and devise methods to eliminate the agent or the virus. Frequently they are involved in tracking down new, unidentified pathogens such as the bacterium that cause plague, legionnaire’s disease and the virus responsible for AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome), SARS(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and Avian flu.

Public health microbiology is clearly related to medical microbiology. Public health micro-biologist tries to control the spread of communicable diseases. They often monitor community food establishments and water supplies in an attempt to keep them safe and free from infectious disease agents.

Many important areas of microbiology do not deal directly with human health and disease but certainly contribute to human welfare. Agricultural microbiology is concerned with the impact of M.Os on agriculture.

Agriculture microbiologists try to combat plant disease that attacks important food crops, work on methods to increase soil fertility and crop yields. Currently there is interest in using bacterial (Bacillus thuringenesis) and viral insect (Baculovirus, NPV- Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus) pathogens as substitutes for chemical pesticides/ insecticides.

The field of microbial ecology is closely related to agricultural microbiology. Microbial ecologists study the relationship between micro-organisms and their habitats. They are concerned with the contribution of microorganisms to the carbon, nitrogen and sulfur cycles in soil and in fresh water. The study of pollution effects on micro-organisms also is important because of the impact these micro-organisms have on the environment. Microbial ecologists are employing micro-organisms in bioremediation to reduce pollution effects.

Scientists working in food and dairy microbiology try to prevent microbial spoilage of food and the transmission of food borne diseases such as botulism and salmonellosis. They also use micro-organisms to make foods such as cheese, yoghurts, Single Cell Protein (SCP), pickles, wine and beer. In the future micro-organisms may become a more important nutrient source for livestock and humans.