Scopes of microbiology

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. This discipline includes fundamental research on the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of microorganisms, including the host response to these agents.

1. SCOPES OF MICROBIOLOGY Dr. Sujeet Kumar Mrityunjay, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Life Science School of Sciences ITM University, Gwalior (Turari Campus) Madhya Pradesh-474001 (India) 1 6/6/2020

2. 2 Microbes influence human life in countless ways. Sometimes, the influence of microorganisms on human life is beneficial, whereas at other times, it is harmful. For example, microorganisms are needed for the production of bread, cheese, yogurt, alcohol, wine, beer, antibiotics (e.g., penicillin, streptomycin, and chloramphenicol), vaccines, vitamins and enzymes. Microbes are also an important and essential component of an ecosystem. Molds and bacteria play key roles in the cycling of important nutrients in plant nutrition particularly those of carbon, nitrogen and Sulphur. Bacteria referred to as nitrogen fixers live in the soil where they convert vast quantities of nitrogen in air into a form that plants can use. Microorganisms also play major roles in energy production. Natural gas (methane) is a product of bacterial activity, arising from the metabolism of methanogenic bacteria. Microorganisms are also being used to clean up pollution caused by human activities, a process called bioremediation (the introduction of microbes to restore stability to disturbed or polluted environments). Bacteria and fungi have been used to consume spilled oil, solvents, pesticides and other environmentally toxic substances. 6/6/2020

3. 3 SOME IMPORTANCE AND SCOPE OF MICROBIOLOGY ARE LISTED AS FOLLOW:- Ecology and Environment:- Bacteria are primary decomposers – recycle nutrients back into the environment (sewage treatment plants) Winogradsky and M. Beijerinck studied soil microbes and their role in the biochemical cycles of sulfur, carbon, nitrogen etc. Insect Pest Control: some bacteria are used as bio-pesticides to control Insects pest. E.g. Bacillus thuringiensis Bioremediation: microbes are also used to clean up pollutants and toxic wastes. E.g. Pseudomonas putida ; used to remove petroleum spill. 6/6/2020

4. 4 Food microbiology:- Microbes are used in various food and dairy industries to produce various food products such as cheese, pickles, sauerkraut, green olives, yogurt, soy sauce, vinegar, bread, Beer, Wine, and Alcohol etc. In 1856 Pasteur described the fermentation technology. 6/6/2020

5. 5 Medicine: clinical and pharmaceutical microbiology:- Disease Treatment: Microbes are used to produce Antibiotics. E.g. Penicillium notatum (Penicillin); discovered by Alexander Fleming (1928) Bacteria also synthesize vitamins which is needed for our body. Example:- E. coli synthesized Vitamin-B; which is required for metabolism, Vitamin-K; which is required for blood clotting Gene therapy for treatment of genetic diseases 6/6/2020

6. 6 Vaccine and immunology:- Vaccine activates immune response. Edward Jenner inoculated people with cowpox to protect against smallpox. In 1885, Pasteur developed the rabies vaccine In 1890, Von Behring and Kitasato produced toxoid vaccine against diphtheria and tetanus. In 1884 Metchnikoff described role of phagocytic cell in defense. 6/6/2020

7. 7 Genetic engineering:- Microorganisms are used in Recombinant DNA Technology or Genetic Engineering to manipulate their gene for the production of useful products such as enzymes, hormones, interferons , vaccine, antibiotics and many other useful products for human being. Microorganisms are used as model organism in molecular biology. Biochemistry and physiology: Microorganisms are used as a model for study of many biochemical and physiological processes. 6/6/2020

8. 8 Industrial microbiology:- Microbes are used in economic and industrial purposes. Biotechnology, fermentation technology, food and beverages etc. are now established on large industrial scale for income. It involves use of microbes to produce antibiotics, steroids, alcohol, vitamins and amino acids etc. 6/6/2020

9. 9 Agriculture Microbiology:- Genetic engineering is used for the production of transgenic plants and animals. Animal and plant improvement by biotechnology for better production, resistant to environmental fluctuation. Molecular farming: transgenic animal or plant are used as bioreactor for mass production. The influence of microbes on agriculture; the prevention of the diseases that mainly damage the useful crops. Geochemical microbiology:- Bioleaching: recovery of minerals from low grade ores Role of microorganism in geochemical cycle Exomicrobiology:- Exploring for life in outer space 6/6/2020

10. 10 Microbiology has an impact on Environment, Medicine, Agriculture, Food Science , Ecology , Genetics ,Biochemistry, Ocean etc. Several microbiologists are primarily interested in the biology of microorganisms, Meanwhile others focus on specific branch of microbiology Such as: Virologists: Viruses Bacteriologists: Bacteria Phycologists : Akgae Mycologist: Fungi Protozoologists : Protozoa Medical Microbiology Immunology Agricultural Microbiology Food & Dairy Microbiology Cosmetic Microbiology 6/6/2020