Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms. These organisms include algae, bacteria, moulds, protozoa, viruses and yeasts. They are sometimes called microbes. These cannot be seen without a microscope. Many biologists further specialize in the study of micro-organisms, e.g. the bacteriologists work with bacteria, mycologists with fungi and virologists study viruses.
Micro-organisms constitute by far the largest group of living things. They are almost everywhere and cannot be ignored. They affect health, food, agriculture, industrial development and even our existence. If man became extinct most remaining species on earth would still live quite successfully, if microbes disappeared disaster would follow.
The first life forms on Earth some 3,500 million years ago, were primitive micro-organisms living in an atmosphere that contained no free oxygen. The activities of ‘micro-biota’ that developed from them were responsible for the oxygenation of the atmosphere that occurred some 1,500 million years later.
Unknowingly, man has made use of the activities of micro-organisms since prehistoric times in ancient crafts involving the production of food and drink, such as leavening of bread, souring of milk and making of beer and wine. However, it was not until the later part of the seventeenth century that Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek revealed the microbial world.
Development of microbiology
Bacteriology, later broadened into microbiology, really began to blossom about two centuries with the work of Louis Pasteur, Robert Koch, John Tyndal, Joseph Lister and many others. The range of their work was extensive and revealed both the role of microbes in nature and their importance to mankind. Initially a chemist, Pasteur became interested in studying fermentation processes, especially those involved in the production of wines, vinegar and later beer. His work on the parasitic diseases of silkworms led him to study many illnesses in animals and man. He developed procedures to protect against diseases through vaccinations.
Koch pursued the problem of the causation of disease relevant still to research on such diseases as AIDS. Tyndal achieved a great advance in understanding sterilisation.
Application of microbiology
The early recognition of the connection with disease resulted in bacteriology becoming a branch of medicine and is taught mainly in medical schools. New discoveries led to an increased recognition of the practical economic importance of not only bacteria, but also fungi (i.e. yeasts and moulds), viruses, algae and protozoa. Industries based on microbiological processes arose, such as antibiotics, production of food and the control of pollution, exploitation of enzymes for specific transformations of chemical compounds etc.
Microbiology has made rapid advances through fundamental research into the physiology, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, ecology and classification of micro-organisms, and the use of the findings for the benefit of mankind. One particularly striking contribution of microbiology and the experimental techniques developed by microbiologists has been to our understanding of the role of DNA in biology.
Nature of Work
Microbiologists study the relationships between microbes and man, animals and plants. Medical microbiologists investigate the role of micro-organisms in human and animal diseases and seek ways to prevent and cure these disease. Agricultural microbiologists study plant diseases, the role of micro-organisms in soil fertility and spoilage of farm products by micro-organisms. Industrial micro-biologists use micro-organisms to produce such products as alcoholic beverages, amino acids, antibiotics, citric acids, and Vitamin C. General microbiologists study the basic features of micro-organisms, including ecology, genetics, metabolism, physiology and structure. An emerging field is marine microbiology which focuses on the vast number of micro-organisms in the oceans.
Work Environment
Microbiologists work in laboratories located in research organisations, hospitals, food and beverage industries, and pharmaceuticals firms. The environment and lab set up may vary with the nature of sector i.e. private or government. Working on powerful microscopes causes considerable strain to the eyes. Writing of reports, collating findings, referring to documents and books may require travelling to other departments/institutions. Working with detail requires tenacity.
Personal Characteristics
Microbiology like any other research science requires an analytical and scientific temper, intense interest in research, keen observation, perseverance and hard work. Scientific pursuit driven by keen motivation is required.
Methodical approach in work, dedication, ability to relate to a team of professionals, good communication skills are at the core of success. Mathematical and computational skills too are important.
Employment Avenues
Microbiologists work in hospitals in pathology/cytology laboratories. They undertake microbiological testing of samples from patients as an aid to diagnosing and treating diseases. The pharmaceutical, food, beverage industries, swimming pools, water processing plants, bottling industries and hotels employ microbiologists. In the pharmaceutical industries opportunities exist in the R&D division. Microbiological work includes studying microbes and organisms that cause diseases (in humans, animals as well as plants).
Evaluating antibiotics and developing vaccines, manufacturing drugs by fermentation, etc. In Agricultural research microbiologists are recruited for conducting research in the area of plant development, plant disease and tissue culture. Microbiology and immunology provide major inputs to biotechnology and hence several organisations involved in biotechnological research offer opportunities.
Microbiologists also work with manufacturers for medical disposable goods, cosmetics and antiseptics and in the sales and marketing departments. In municipal or public water departments microbiologists undertake routine testing of water supplied to industrial and domestic users. Other employment options are with university departments, research councils and government-funded research institutes.
In the R&D and scientific departments in industry, public sector labs, hospitals and universities microbiologists are researchers. Microbiology is also a subject for the Civil Services entrance examination.
Study & Training
Students can pursue microbiology at the graduate level after choosing to study Biology at the +2 level. After B.Sc. Microbiology graduates can pursue higher studies like M. Sc in Applied microbiology, Medical microbiology, Food microbiology, Industrial microbiology, Genetics, Biotechnology, Bio-informatics, microbial technology, Clinical Research, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Forensic Sciences, Hospital Management, in addition PG diploma in Hospital Administration run by Indian Institute of Hospital Management and Research , Jaipur. Post Graduate microbiology students after completion of 3 semesters with 55% marks can appear in CSIR- NET examination. Passing this exam gives them options to get appointed as Junior Research Fellows(JRF)in a CSIR laboratories. They are then eligible to register for their Ph.D. Senior positions after completion of Ph.D can be of Senior Research Fellow, Research Assistant, Research Associate in both government or private research institutes.
