|
What is Microbiology - is a branch of biology that deals with microorganisms and their effects on other living organisms.
Or Microbiology is a branch of biology that includes the study of growth, characteristics and various other aspects related to the life cycle of microbes.
Microbiology is a broad term which includes virology, mycology, phycology, protozoology, parasitology, bacteriology, immunology and other branches. A microbiologist is a specialist in microbiology and these related topics.
- Bacteriology: the study of bacteria
- Mycology: fungi
- Protozoology: protozoa
- Phycology: algae
- Parasitology: parasites
- Virology: viruses
An understanding of these various life forms in the environment has created other sub disciplines of: microbial ecology, microbial physiology, microbial genetics and molecular biology. Our need to control infectious diseases has brought about the fields of pathology and immunology. Bioinformatics, the in silico research, is a new area of research in microbiology which analyzes the genomes of life forms.
Details of Microbiology
- Microbiology, one of the fastest growing areas of science, is the study of organisms so small that they must be viewed with a microscope.
- Microbiology is concerned not only with their role in disease, which is so often a cause of immediate concern, but with their many beneficial activities and applications.
- It occupies a central position in biotechnology and genetic engineering and many of the recent major advances have been achieved using microorganisms as model systems.
- Microorganisms comprise a large and diverse group that includes algae, cyanobacteria, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses. They exhibit variety of forms and are widely distributed throughout the biosphere including polar regions or the deep sea.
- Despite their microscopic size and invisibility they play a vitally important role in maintaining, through their metabolic activities, the ecological balance needed for life to exist on earth.
- Micro organisms can be studied from the point of view of taxonomy (Classification of organisms into groups), morphology (Study of its shape and structure), bio chemistry (study of the chemical processes within organisms), physiology (study of functions of cells, tissues & organs), ecology (study of how organisms interact with their environment), genetics (study of inheritance and variation in organisms), pathology (study of the disease causing microbes and causes) or other aspects.
- At the undergraduate and graduate level studies will touch topics like bacterial genetics and physiology, inorganic and organic chemistry, immunology, analytical chemistry, genetics etc.
Main Branches/Sub divisions of Microbiology
- Medical Microbiology study the role of microorganisms in diseases causing in humans and animals. They research and investigate these organisms to find ways to cure and prevent, occurrence of these diseases.
- Agricultural Microbiology study plant diseases, the role of microorganisms in soil fertility and spoilage of farm products.
- Industrial Microbiology work with industries producing products such as alcoholic beverages, amino acids, citric acids, Vitamin C and antibiotics etc. with the help of microorganisms.
- Marine Microbiology deals with the microorganisms present in the ocean. It is a relatively new division of microbiology and promises to be an exciting one.
- General Microbiology General microbiology focuses on the fundamentals and basic features of microorganisms including ecology, metabolism, genetics, physiology and structure.
Other branches of Microbiology
- Evolutionary Microbiology
- Water Microbiology
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Environmental Microbiology
- Cellular Microbiology
- Soil Microbiology
- Microbial Genetics
- Nano Microbiology
Importance of Microbiology
- Microorganisms are responsible for the manufacture of various foods of man.
- Microorganisms are useful for agriculture, subsurface pollution in soils, marine environments and industrial wastes.
- The biochemical reactions of microorganism helps in the process of production of foods like Curd, Bread, Alochol, Soya Sauce, SCP protein etc. the fruiting bodies of some fungi like Agaricus, Plurotus etc are used as mushrooms, SCP protein are synthesized from culturing of micro organisms like Chlorella, Spirulina, Yeasts etc.
- Microorganisms help in several industries like medicine industry, jute industry. Hormones, Vitamins, Vaccines are also manufactured from microorganisms.
- They also used in Recombinant technology, cell fusion technology etc.
- Hence the branch microbiology developed into a independent modern branch of science.
Personal competencies/ Skill required for Microbiologist
- Microbiology is regarded as a research oriented field that requires utmost dedication apart from having scientific and analytical temper, interest in research, observant attitude and determination. So people with these qualities can opt for this career.
- As a microbiologist, you will need the ability to plan and do practical experiments, using technical equipment and computers. Be able to identify, select, organize and communicate information.
- Along with this, candidates must possess diligence, ability to work in a team of professionals, good communication skills and hard work. Good mathematical and computational skills are of added advantage.
- You will need a logical approach to problem solving, and must be accurate, methodical, patient and with analytical skills. Good written and oral communication skills are needed to present your findings, and work on your own or as part of a team.
Scope/ opportunities/career in Microbiology
There are several job opportunities for those who want to pursue a career in microbiology. Microbiologists can find job opportunities in sectors such as government and private hospitals, food industries, research and development organizations, chemical industries and pharmaceutical industries They can also choose a career as science writer, who writes articles for professional microbiologists The salary for microbiologists differs on the factors such as qualification, experience and job profile
- Agriculture Microbiologist
- Industrial Microbiologist
- Marine Microbiologist
- Environmental Microbiologist
- Food Microbiologist
- Biomedical scientists
- Mycologists
- Bacteriologist
- Protozoologists
- Biochemist
- Biotechnologist
- Microbiologists
- Cell Biologists
- Geneticists
- Immunologists
- Parasitologists
- Science Writer
- Teachers
- Virologists
Some Employment Areas:
- Laboratories
- Private Hospitals
- Research Organizations
- Universities
- Pharmaceutical Industries
- Food Industry
- Beverage Industry
- Chemical Industries
- Environmental Agencies
- Agriculture Department
Course
Duration - 3years
Eligibility - +2 Pass with Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Botany & Zoology
Under Graduate
- B. Sc Microbiology
- B. Sc Genetics
- B. Sc Clinical Microbiology
- B. Sc Medical Microbiology
- B. Sc Industrial Microbiology
Postgraduate
- M. Sc Microbiology
- M. Sc Applied Microbiology
- M. Sc Clinical Microbiology
- M. Sc Genetics
- M. Sc Medical Microbiology
- M. Sc Stem Cell Biology
- M. Sc Microbial Genetics and Bioinformatics
- M. Phil in Microbiology
- Ph. D in Microbiology
Diploma
Certificate Course
Colleges
Related Links
|
