Overview of the scope of

MICROBIOLOGY

G.Sivalakshmi
I M.Sc Microbiology
Microbiology :
Microbiology is the branch of
biology deals with the study of
microscopic organisms.

 The study of all living organisms

that cannot be visible with our
naked eye. 

 They can be viewed only through

microscope and are named as Anton van Leeuwenhoek
Microbes. (1632 – 1723)

Microbes were first discovered by

Anton van Leeuwenhoek and he
named them Animalcules.
Microorganisms:
Microorganisms or microbes are microscopic
organisms that exist as unicellular, multicellular, or
cell clusters.

Microorganims are widespread in nature and are

both beneficial and pathogenic.

They can be divided into six major types: bacteria,

archaea, fungi, protozoa, algae, and viruses.

Examples of microorganisms include

bacteria, archaea, algae, protozoa, and
microscopic animals such as the dust mite.

They can be of various sizes and shapes but are

Overview of micro organisms
SCOPE OF MICROBIOLOGY:
The scope of microbiology is in many fields
like medicine, pharmacy, diary, industry, clinical
research, water industry, agriculture, chemical
technology and nanotechnology.

Environment:
Responsible for the carbon, nitrogen phosphorus geochemical
cycles.
Maintain ecological balance on earth.
Found in association with plants in symbiotic relationships.
maintain soil fertility and also be used to clean up the toxic
compounds (bio-remediation).
Some are devasting plant pathogens, but others act as biological
control agents against these diseases.
Agriculture: 
Prevention of the diseases by microbes that mainly damages the
useful crops.
Increase soil fertility and crop yields etc.
 Using bacterial or viral insect pathogens as substitute for chemical
pesticides.

Genetics: 
Engineered microbes are used to make hormones, vaccine,
antibiotics and many other useful products for human being.
 New genes can be inserted into plants and animals.

Biotechnology:
Commercial applications include the synthesis of acetone, organic
acids, enzymes, alcohols and many drugs.
 Genetic engineering – bacteria can produce important
therapeutic substances such as insulin, human growth hormone,
and interferon

Food science: 
It involves the prevention of spoilage of food and food borne
diseases.
Microbes are used to produce cheese, yoghurt, pickles, beer and
other fermented products.

Medicine: 
Deals with the identification pathogenic microbes to cure
diseases of human and animals .
Disease causing ability of some microbes such as,
 Small Pox (Variola virus)
 Cholera (Vibrio cholera)etc.
are treated with more antibiotics and other medically
important drugs.
Industry:
It involves use of microbes to produce antibiotics, steroids, alcohol,
vitamins and amino acids etc.

Research:
Microbes are easier to be used as a model organism for study
They reproduce very quickly and does not require any
specified equipments.
They can be found at low cost

Various studies:
Virology – Viruses
Phycology – Algae
Mycology – Fungi
and etc.
Points to remember....
 Microbiology can have access in the areas of food,
pharmacy, agrochemistry biotechnology, biorefinery,
ecology, marine, immunology,genetics and even in
research.

 In the field of agriculture, microbiology helps to study the

role of microbes in plant disease, pest control, nutrition
and soil fertility.

 In the field of medicine and health care, the work is

usually associated with diagnosis, prevention and
treatment of illnesses associated with microbes.
Thank you !