This document provides an introduction to microbiology and its history. It defines microbiology and medical microbiology, and discusses the classification of microorganisms and the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Several pioneering scientists in microbiology are described, including their major contributions. Koch's postulates for establishing causation of infectious disease are also summarized. Finally, some Nobel Prize winners in microbiology are listed along with their seminal research.

1. Microbiology
Introduction & History
Dr Kamlesh Patel
MBBS MD (Microbiology), DCP
Assist Professor, Microbiology
SAIMS Hospital& Medical College, Indore
www.drkamlesh.com

2. Learning Objectives
At the end of the Lecture student should be able to:
• Mi 1.1.1: Define Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, and branches
of medical microbiology.
• Mi 1.1.2: Discuss the classification of micro-organisms and describe
the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
• Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their contribution.
• Mi 1.1.4: Describe Koch’s postulates
• Mi 1.1.5: Enlist the nobel laureates

3. Mi 1.1.1: Define Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, and
branches of medical microbiology
What is Microbiology ?
The science that deals with the study of micro-organisms
and their activities is called Microbiology.
This includes:
• Morphology
• Reproduction,
• Physiology & metabolism
• Identification,
• Distribution in nature,
• Beneficial & detrimental effects on humans & animals.

4. Mi 1.1.1: Define Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, and
branches of medical microbiology
• What is Medical Microbiology ?
Deals with microbes that infects humans, diseases they cause, their
diagnosis, prevention,& treatment and also the response of
humans to them.
• Branches of Medical Microbiology:
 Bacteriology
 Virology
 Parasitology
 Mycology

5. Mi 1.1.2: Discuss the classification of micro-organisms and
describe the difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
• Micro-organisms ?
• Classification of Micro-organisms:
• Difference between Prokaryores and Eukaryotes.

6. Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.
Antony Van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723)
• First to use Microscope (Hand mirror)
• Credit for 1st observation, description ,reporting of bacteria.
• From Holland.
• Little animalcules

7. Oliver & Semmelweis
• Puerperal sepsis (contagious& transmitted by
doctors, medical students attending women in
labour)
• Simple measure- hand-wash ad use of antiseptic
solution.
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

8. Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)
• Father of Microbiology
• Chemist in France.
• Important contributions in microbiology:
1. Proved conclusively all forms of life arose only from their like &
not de novo. (Disproved spontaneous generation theory).
2. Studied fermentation.
3. Introduction of sterilization techniques
4. Developed steam sterilizer, Autoclave, hot air oven
5. Studies on Anthrax, ……………. …..
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

9. 6. Introduced attenuated live vaccine for prophylactic use for
chicken cholera ,anthrax and rabies.
7. Coined the term Vaccine.
8. Vaccine for hydrophobia is a milestone in immunization.
9. The Pasteur Institute of Paris
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

10. Louis Pasteur (1822-1895)
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

11. Joseph Lister(1827-1912)
• Professor of Surgery in Glasgow Royal Hospital.
• Father of Antiseptic Surgery
 Introduced antiseptic techniques in surgery (1867)
 Use of carbolic acid.
 Decrease mortality and morbidity due to surgical sepsis.
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

12. Robert koch (1843-1910)
• German general practitioner.
• Father of Bacteriology:
Contributions:
• Perfected bacteriological techniques.
• Introduced -solid culture media (Isolation)
• Introduced staining techniques.
• Discovered Anthrax bacillus (1876)
• Tubercle bacillus (1882),
• Cholera vibrios (1883)
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

13. Koch’s Postulates:
According to Koch’s Postulates,
• a micro-organism can be accepted as the causative agent of an
infectious disease only if:
1. The organism -constantly associated with the lesions of the disease.
2. Able to isolate the organism in pure culture from the lesion.
3. The isolated organism - inoculated into suitable lab animals should
produce a similar disease.
4. Able to re-isolate the organism in pure culture from the lesion produced
in experimental animals.
5. An additional criteria-Specific antibodies to the bacteria.
Exceptions: Mycobacterium leprae, Virus, Rickettsia etc
Mi 1.1.4: Describe Koch’s postulates

14. Robert Koch
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

15. Important discoveries by other scientists
• Lepra bacillus -- Hansen (1874)
• Gonococcus -- Neisser (1881)
• Diphtheria -- Klebs (1883), Loeffler (1884)
• Peumococcus -- Frankel (1886)
• Diphtheria toxin -- Roux and Yersin (1888)
• Tetanus bacillus -- Kitasato (1889)
• Plague bacillus -- Yersin (1890)
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

16. Paul Ehrlich(1854-1915)
• Father of Chemotheraphy
• German scientist
Contributions:
• Discovered Salvers, arsenical compound (magic bullet)
destroyed spirochetes of syphilis.
• Reported acid fast nature of TB bacilli.
• Applied stains to cells & tissues to study functions.
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

17. Sir Alexander Fleming
• Accidently discovered
• substance produced by mould Penicillium inhibited a number
of disease producing organisms: Penicillin
• This marked the beginning of antibotic era.
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

18. Ruska(1934
• The introduction of Electron micros
Good Pasteur(1930)
• Techniques of viral cultivation in chick embryos and Tissue
culture.
• Viruses causing malignancies discovered.
• Bacteriophages discovered
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

19. Edward Jenner
• Accidentally came to know that the milk maids who suffered
from cowpox were immune to smallpox.
• In (1796) introduced the first successful immunization in
smallpox by related but mild live virus of cowpox.
Mi 1.1.3: Enlist the various scientists and their
contribution.

20. Mi 1.1.5: Enlist the nobel laureates
Year Nobel laureate Research done
1901 Emil A von Behring Antitoxin against Diphtheria.
1902 Sir Ronald Ross Life cycle of malaria parasite in mosquito
1905 Robert Koch Discovered causative agent of TB
1908 Paul Ehrlich and
Metchnikoff
Selective theory of antibody formation
1945 Sir Alexander fleming Discovery of Penicillin
1962 Watson and Crick Double helix of DNA
1997 Stanley B Prusiner Described Prions

21. Thanks