Microbiology and Human Disease

Overview of Microbiology

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

Some Basic Terms

Infectious agents can be divided into some basic categories:

Non-cellular (some would say non-living)Prions-infectious proteinsViruses-infectious particles made of DNA or RNA, protein, sometimes

lipid membrane

Cellular (living)Bacteria- single-celled organisms with circular DNA and no nucleusProtists-single celled organisms with nucleus and other membranous

organellesFungi-most are multi-celled; some are single celled (yeasts) organisms

with nucleus and mitochondriaAnimals-all are multi celled organisms with nucleus, mitochondria,

elaborate cellular structure, tissue, and organs

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

Modern Microbiology

Overview of topics

• 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

Microbiology

Food and DrugsAgriculture

Conservation and Environmental policy

Public Health

Biomedical engineering

Bio-defense

Water Quality Microbiology

Conservation and Environmental Policy

Agriculture and Genetic Engineering

Bacterial DNA

Insecticide Gene

Genetically modified corn

Genetic Engineering and Medicine

Virus with ‘good’ gene

Gene inserted into chromosome when virus invades cells

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 bio-warfare/bioterrorism agents• Rajneeshees cult used salmonella in the 1980’s• Unknown perpetrator used anthrax in 2001

http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/biodefense/