Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms known as micro-organisms or microbes. Microbes play a key role in every facet of life on this planet. For example, microbes have a major impact on the earth’s climate through their metabolism of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. Microbes can naturally produce polymers, and antibiotics but also consume or break down a multitude of toxic chemicals. Microbiologists use tools like molecular biology, fermentation, enzymology, and synthetic biology to improve the natural ability of microorganisms so that they can produce new antibiotics, natural products, biodegradable plastics and clean up chemically polluted soil and water. Microbes protect us from colonization by disease-causing organisms. However, some microbes cause diseases, e.g. MRSA, AIDS, tuberculosis, and meningitis. Microbiological research aims to find treatments for these and other infectious diseases.