AGRI 101 - Microbiology

 Intro

The analysis of all living species that are too small to be visible to the naked eye is microbiology. This contains, collectively known as 'microbes', bacteria, archaea, viruses, fungi, prions, protozoa and algae. In nutrient cycling, biodegradation/biodeterioration, climate change, food spoilage, disease cause and control, and biotechnology, these microbes play key roles.

Microbiologists study microbes, and some of the most important discoveries that have underpinned modern society have resulted from studies by renowned microbiologists, such as Jenner and his vaccine against smallpox, Fleming and the discovery of penicillin, Marshall and the identification of the correlation between infection with Helicobacter pylori and stomach ulcers, and zur Hausen, who discovered the link papilloma virus and cervical cancer.

Branches of Microbiology

Microbiology is a very vast discipline and it expands into many disciplines.

1. Bacteriology: the study of bacteria.

2. Immunology: the study of the immune system. It looks at the relationships between pathogens such as bacteria and viruses and their hosts.

3. Mycology: the study of fungi, such as yeasts and molds.

4. Nematology: the study of nematodes (roundworms).

5. Parasitology: the study of parasites. Not all parasites are microorganisms, but many are. Protozoa and bacteria can be parasitic; the study of bacterial parasites is usually categorized as part of bacteriology.

6. Phycology: the study of algae.

7. Protozoology: the study of protozoa, single-celled organisms like amoebae.

8. Virology: the study of viruses.

Importance of Microbiology during Covid19 outbreak - link

Students' academic corner

1. Latest research on Microbiology -  link

Interesting platforms for Microbiology 

For more information, check:

1. Microbiology Society website here, link.

2. American Society for Microbiology, here link

3. Canadian Society of Microbiologists - link

4. Society for Applied Microbiology - link

Interesting articles  

1. Using Instagram as a social media platform, Check article here - link

2. Nobel Prize in chemistry for 2020 awarded for Microbiology research - link

3. latest news on Microbiology - link