Microbiology Pre-AP

Introduction to Medical Microbiology

the branch of medicine concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infections and communicable diseases.

Why “Micro”biology?Microorganisms aka microbes are ubiquitous

Used most commonly as evidence of life in newly explored habitats

Microbes require a microscope to be observed, studied and identified

Medical Microbiology =

› Bacteriology

› Protozoology

› Phycology

› Parasitology

› Mycology

› Virology

› 1. Bacteria

› 2. Protozoans

› 3. Algae

› 4. Parasites

› 5. Yeasts and Molds– Fungi

› 6. Viruses

Organisms included in the study of microbiology

Gut Flora

Protozoans in Sea Water

Thermophilic Algae

Roundworm: Strongyloides

Yeast cells

Mold

geology (microbes present in the earth’s crust)

marine science (phytoplankton, protozoans)

medicine (infectious diseases aka pathogens, epidemiology)

astrobiology (can life exist in space?)

Microbiologists combine multiple disciplines in their research:

› Biochemistry–Macromolecules, enzymes, metabolic activities, cell theory

› Inheritance patterns– Gene expression, DNA mutations

› Nutrient cycles– Soil, water, atmospheric cycles, decomposition,

photosynthesis

Several scientific concepts developed within the discipline of microbiology

› Food production– Alcoholic fermentation, soil fertility, bread, vinegar, yogurt

› Medicine– Antibiotics such as Penicillium

› Environmental protection– Pest control-Bacillus thuringiensis – Bioremediation-Pseudomonas sp. & Bacillus sp.

› Genetic engineering– Biomedical research, recombinant DNA technology, gene therapy– Synthesis of Human Growth Hormone, Interferon, Insulin

Microbiology in industry

› Pneumonia >Whooping Cough

› Botulism >Typhoid Fever >Measles

› Cholera >Scarlet Fever >Mumps

› Syphilis >Gonorrhea >Herpes 1

› Chlamydia >Tuberculosis >Herpes 2

› Meningitis >Tetanus >MRSA

› Strep Throat >Lyme Disease >AIDS

› Black Plague >Diarrhea >Gangrene

Microbes act as infectious agents

Tetanus

Anthrax

Smallpox

› Based on observations, questioning and testing hypotheses, various discoveries have contributed to the advancement of civilization.– 1665: Robert Hooke, cell theory– 1674: Anton van Leeuwenhoek, witnessed living

microorganisms>Experiments to disprove Spontaneous Generation:

-1668: Francesco Redi-1858: Rudolph Virchow-1861: Louis Pasteur

>1876: Robert Koch develops “Germ Theory”

The scientific method has lead to great advancements in the field of microbiology

›Advances in microscopy

›Culture techniques

›Control of microbes, including infectious diseases

Significant discoveries in microbiology

›Evolutionary relationships›Specific characteristics–Gram + or Gram -, temperature-tolerance,

morphology›Standard scientific names–Escherichia coli–Staphylococcus aureus

Classification of Microbes