Modern Developments in Microbiology

Bacteriology is the study of bacteria, mycology is the study of fungi, and parasitology is the study of parasitic protozoa and worms.

Microbiologists are using genomics, the study of all of an organism’s genes, to classify bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.

The study of AIDS, analysis of interferon action, and the development of new vaccines are among the current research interests in immunology.

New techniques in molecular biology and electron microscopy have provided tools for advancement of our knowledge of virology.

The development of recombinant DNA technology has helped advance all areas of microbiology.

Microbes and Human Welfare

Microorganisms degrade dead plants and animals and recycle chemical elements to be used by living plants and animals.

Bacteria are used to decompose organic matter in sewage.

Bioremediation processes use bacteria to clean up toxic wastes.

Bacteria that cause diseases in insects are being used as biological controls of insect pests. Biological controls are specific for the pest and do not harm the environment.

Using microbes to make products such as foods and chemicals is called biotechnology.

Using recombinant DNA, bacteria can produce substances such as proteins, vaccines, and enzymes.

In gene therapy, viruses are used to carry replacements for defective or missing genes into human cells.

Genetic engineering is used in agriculture to protect plants from frost and insects and to improve the shelf life of produce.

Microbes and Human Disease

Everyone has microorganisms in and on the body; these make up the normal microbiota or flora.

The disease-producing properties of a species of microbe and the host’s resistance are important factors in determining whether a person will contract a disease.

An infectious disease is one in which pathogens invade a susceptible host.

An emerging infectious disease (EID) is a new or changing disease, showing an increase in incidence in the recent past or a potential to increase in the near future.