The cell as we know is the basic unit of life. Microorganisms are cellular entities, and thus could be likened to a cell. They can either exist as unicellular organisms or organisms with multiple cells (i.e. as multicellular organisms). Microbial cells are ubiquitous in the natural environment, and are found in the soil, water, in […]
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Microbial Physiology & Metabolism
As one of the world’s most research-intensive industry, biotechnology corporations are high-profit making enterprises that seek to increase their economic base while obtaining high returns from their investments. Research and development (R&D) spending in the biotechnology industries of most nations including the United States of America runs into billions of dollars. Recombinant human insulin for
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Biotechnology
After exposure to an infectious agent, the body becomes contaminated by the agent, and the pathogenic microorganism eventually develops disease or infection in the susceptible human or animal host following a defined pattern (Figure 1). It is the duty of clinical microbiologists to isolate and characterize the infecting pathogenic microorganism(s), and differentiate same from normal
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Bacteriology
Pasteurization is simply defined as the process of heating food during its production in order to destroy pathogenic microorganisms or food spoilage organisms in them. Food products or foods such as milk, yoghurt, dairy products and other liquid products are heated in this manner to destroy microorganisms that cause disease and spoilage in them. Pasteurization
Laminar flow biological safety cabinet is an air filtration system which protects a laboratory worker from microorganisms or contamination by cells being handled within the cabinet. The laminar flow biological safety cabinet also protects the laboratory room or environment where the work is done from potential danger and aerosols emanating from harmful microorganisms. Work done
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Techniques in Microbiology Lab
Industrial Microbiology The use of microbes by man to produce beneficial products is an ancient practice that has continued till date. Industrial microbiology is the branch of microbiology that uses microbes to produce industrial products in large quantities. Here, the potentials of microorganisms are harnessed for industrial productions and for other related services. Some microorganisms
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Careers in Microbiology, General Microbiology
The immune system is a complex system which consists of collection of cells, organs, tissues and molecules that work together to protect an organism or animal from disease and invading foreign agent’s (i.e. pathogens). For the immune system to function properly and constantly keep the integrity of the human body intact and free from microbes, it
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Immunology & Immune System
Resolution is the ability of a microscope’s lens to distinguish between (two) small objects that are close together as distinct and separate. It is the ability of a lens system to allow an observer (the microbiologist) to see fine details of different small objects even when they are close together. The resolution (resolving power) of
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Microscopy & Microscope
WAYS IN WHICH VIRUSES DIFFER FROM OTHER LIVING CELLS Viruses as differ tremendously from other unicellular microorganisms in several ways and these unique features of viruses are as follows: References Acheson N.H (2011). Fundamentals of Molecular Virology. Second edition. John Wiley and Sons Limited, West Sussex, United Kingdom. Alan J. Cann (2005). Principles of Molecular
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Virology
Aseptic technique refers to all the quality control and precautionary measures taken by microbiologists in the laboratory in order to ensure that all working apparatuses are germ-free. It involves numerous processes taken to reduce or prevent the contamination of microbial cultures, reagents and culture media. Aseptic techniques also include all other precautionary measures taken to
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Techniques in Microbiology Lab