Dr Madhulita, Dr Shelly Sehgal
In the fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty went to sleep for 100 years in a castle protected by giant thorns and then was revived by the kiss of a prince. In 2000, scientists told a microbial version of this fairy tale, announcing that they had revived bacteria that had lain in suspended animation for 250 million years, encased in salt crystals deep in the Earth. Do we mean that microbes- the organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye, will take the prize as the oldest living things on Earth by far? How do they manage to ubiquitously survive in human gut or extreme locations all that time, century after century, millennium after millennium? As agents of infectious disease they cause untold human misery, yet their beneficial activities are manifold, ranging from the natural cycling of chemical elements through to the production of food, beverages and pharmaceuticals. Given the global reach of microbes, there is an urgent need to develop a comprehensive and at least somewhat standardized response to epidemic outbreaks. With every cough and sniffle raising suspicion of H1N1, the total number of laboratory confirmed cases crossed 33000 mark with death of more than 2000 people in 2015 outbreak. In India Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology announced Wednesday that the current strain of the virus is more dangerous than the kind that caused previous outbreaks, including the 2009 epidemic, which killed more than 2,700. in terms of resources to what you can provide to public health in the country that you live in. many labs don’t follow WHO protocol while doing tests, resulting in it often leading to wrong diagnosis.
Microbes are the organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye. They live in habitats throughout the world: in fresh and salt water, on land, in the air, and on or inside other organisms. They can even survive in extreme locations, like in hot springs and inside rocks deep beneath the Earth’s surface. The human skin is covered with microbes. Many others live within our digestive system, from the mouth to the intestines. As agents of infectious disease they cause untold human misery, yet their beneficial activities are manifold, ranging from the natural cycling of chemical elements through to the production of food, beverages and pharmaceuticals.
Microbiology (from Greek micros meaning small, bios meaning life) is the study of microscopic organisms. In 1676, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek observed the bacteria for the first time using a single lens microscope of his own design. The live processes of microbes under a microscope were later described by Robert Hooke. Then emerged a Golden Age of Microbiology during which many agents of different infectious diseases were identified and germ theory of disease was enunciated by Louis Pasteur and proved by Robert Koch. Many of the etiologic agents of microbial disease were discovered during that period, leading to the ability to halt epidemics by interrupting the spread of microorganisms. The antibiotics were introduced to medicine leading to decline in the incidence of pneumonia, tuberculosis, meningitis, syphilis, and many other diseases. Work with viruses could not be effectively performed until instruments were developed to help scientists see these disease agents. In the 1940s, the electron microscope was developed and perfected. In that decade, cultivation methods for viruses were also introduced. Today, modern microbiology reaches into many fields of human endeavour, including the development of pharmaceutical products, the use of quality?control methods in food and dairy product production, the control of disease?causing microorganisms in consumable waters, and the industrial applications of microorganisms. Microorganisms are used to produce vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and growth supplements. They manufacture many foods, including fermented dairy products (sour cream, yogurt, and buttermilk), as well as other fermented foods such as pickles, sauerkraut, breads, and alcoholic beverages.
Microbiologists are scientists who study microbes. They also study how microbes interact with their environment. This includes examining how they cause disease and affect the health of plants, humans and other animals. The work of a microbiologist helps to prevent, diagnose and control infections as they identify and characterise organisms. They are able to comment on effective treatment and can help to develop tests to diagnose infectious diseases.
Some microbiologists may focus on studying one specific type of microbe. For example, bacteriologists study bacteria, and virologists study viruses. Or they may study practical applications of microbiology, such as biotechnology, medical microbiology or industrial microbiology. The need for qualified microbiologists continues to grow, both for basic research and practical applications. Many microbes have yet to be discovered. In addition, microbiologists are still studying how the known microbes function. As a result, the field of microbiology has virtually unlimited potential. Microbiologists are needed across many industries, including in academic, technology, industrial and environmental organizations. Several career paths exist for individuals interested in studying microbes, or using microbiology techniques in their daily job activities. Microbiologists collect samples from the environment, including people, plants, animals and field locations. They also grow the microbes from the samples, and use standard laboratory techniques to isolate specific microbes.
A degree in microbiology does not always mean that you have to work in a laboratory. Microbiologists can also combine their education and experience with other degrees, such as law or business. They may find mostly office-based positions in legal, legislative or corporate environments. Microbiologists work for a variety of employers, including the federal government, state and county health departments, and academic institutions. They may also be employed by pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, food and beverage industries, and manufacturing companies. Many microbiologists conduct research in laboratories, as well as work in offices, where they write up the results of their experiments. Academic microbiologists often teach classes, in addition to conducting their own research. Those with an interest in journalism can obtain a job as a science writer.
The education required to work as a microbiologist depends upon the position. Degrees range from a high school education to a doctorate degree. Most microbiologists have at least a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, or a related science. Some microbiology laboratory technician positions, especially in medical laboratories, are open to individuals with a high school diploma or an associate’s degree. A higher degree, of course, will allow you to work in more challenging positions, with higher salaries.
Microbiologists who conduct independent research need to have at least a master’s degree, and often a doctorate degree for academic positions. As part of the degree, these programs offer students the opportunity to take part in research, either as part of an existing project, or their own unique study. The coursework provides a broad overview of science and microbiology topics. Students may specialize in one or more areas, both in their courses and in their laboratory research experiences.
We desperately need to change the tenor of the whole conversation here. We are not at war with all microbes.
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