Microbiology and Human
Disease
Overview of Microbiology
Some Basic Terms
Microbiology-scientific study of microbes and microbial
processes
Microbe/microorganism- microscopic things that have
characteristics of life (including viruses)
Agent-thing that produces a certain effect such as a
disease
Pathogen-microbial agent of disease
Culture (cultivate)-v. to grow microbes
Isolate-to separate different lineages of microbes from
each other in a growth medium
Infectious agents can be divided into some basic categories:
Non-cellular (some would say non-living)
Prions-infectious proteins
Viruses-infectious particles made of DNA or RNA, protein, sometimes
lipid membrane
Cellular (living)
Bacteria- single-celled organisms with circular DNA and no nucleus
Protists-single celled organisms with nucleus and other membranous
organelles
Fungi-most are multi-celled; some are single celled (yeasts) organisms
with nucleus and mitochondria
Animals-all are multi celled organisms with nucleus, mitochondria,
elaborate cellular structure, tissue, and organs
Modern Microbiology
Extremely diverse branch of the life sciences
American Society For Microbiology: one of the largest
scientific associations in the world
http://www.asm.org
The divisions of ASM exemplify the important disciplines
within microbiology
http://www.asm.org/Meetings/index.asp?bid=28090
Overview of topics
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Scientific Method and Historical Perspectives
Molecules and Cells
Diversity of Microbes
Microbial Genetics
Host-Microbe interactions and Immunity
Epidemiology
Microbiological Methods
Specific Agents of Disease
– Prokaryotes (bacteria)
– Eukaryotes (protists, fungi, helminthes)
– Viruses and Prions
Global Microbiology
Microbes have power to
influence the planet.
The Earth’s atmosphere was
dramatically changed when
bacteria first appeared.
Pandemics occur when a
disease outbreak is worldwide in
distribution such as HIV
Applied Microbiology
Biomedical
engineering
Public Health
Microbiology
Agriculture
Conservation and
Environmental policy
Bio-defense
Food and Drugs
Water Quality Microbiology
Conservation and Environmental Policy
Agriculture and Genetic Engineering
Bacterial DNA
Insecticide Gene
Genetically
modified corn
Genetic Engineering and Medicine
Gene inserted into chromosome
when virus invades cells
Virus with ‘good’ gene
Food Production, Food Safety and Nutrition
Microorganisms are used in
the production of:
•Fermented beverages
•Cheese
•Yogurt
•Bread
Some food may contain
microbes that can be harmful
and cause food-borne
illness
Bio-Defense
• Many pathogenic organisms are potential biowarfare/bioterrorism agents
• Rajneeshees cult used salmonella in the 1980’s
• Unknown perpetrator used anthrax in 2001
http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/biodefense/