Microbiology is the study of microorganisms too small to be seen with the naked eye. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is considered the father of microbiology for his early observations of bacteria and other microbes using a single-lens microscope of his own design in the 1670s. Important early figures who contributed to the development of microbiology include Louis Pasteur, who disproved the theory of spontaneous generation and developed vaccines and sterilization techniques, and Robert Koch, who isolated pure bacterial cultures and established the germ theory of disease. Modern microbiology focuses on applications such as pharmaceutical development, food quality control, and controlling microbes that cause disease.

1. History & Development of
Microbiology

2. Microbiolog
y...... ?
Limit of Resolution =
0.2 mm
Microorganism = Living
Organism < 0.2 mm
Microbiology = Study of
Microorganisms

3. Types of
Microorganisms
Semi
Living
P.K
&
1st Living
Organism
E.K
&
Saprophytic
Heterotrophic
E.K
&
Autotrophic
Unicellular
E.K
Size: 20 –
400 nm
Size: 0.2 – 2
µm
Size: >
10 µm
Size: >
10 µm
Size: >
10 µm

4. History of
Microbiology
6th Century = Jainism – Vardhamana
Mahavira – Described
“NIGODAS” - sub-microscopic creatures
living in large clusters, having a very short
life, pervade every part of the universe,
even in tissues of plants and flesh of
animals.
1546 = Girolamo Fracastoro – Italian Physician –
Epidemic diseases were caused by transferable seed
like entities
1658 = Athanasius Kircher - putrid material is full of
innumerable creeping animalcules & also stated that
Plague is caused by Microbes
1665 = Robert Hooke made his first recorded
microscopic observation of the fruiting bodies of moulds.

5. 1676 = Antonie van Leeuwenhoek – F
of Microbiology - observed bacteria and
other microorganisms using a single-
lens microscope of his ownThe specimen to be examined placed on
the apparatus at (1), brought into position
vertically by turning the lower screw (2),
and moved toward or away from the lens
(3) by turning the shorter screw (4).
19th Century = Ferdinand Cohn – Founder of
Bacteriology – Studied on Photosynthetic Algae &
Bacteria, Endospores & formulate a scheme for
the taxonomic classification of bacteria.1822 = Louis Pasteur – Developed Attenuation,
Fermentation & Pasteurization – Disproved Spontaneous
Generation Theory – Developed vaccines for Rabies &
Anthrax – Discovered Optical Isomerism of Chemical
Compounds – Introduced Sterilization Techniques –
Introduced the concept of Liquid Media

6. 1843 = Robert Koch – F of Medical MB – Germ Theory –
Isolated Pure Bacterial Culture (Mycobacterium) -
observed the phenomenon of acquired immunity -
Concept of Solid Media by using Agar - Described
hanging drop method for motility of organism - Introduced
staining techniques by using aniline dyes
1851 = Martinus Willem Beijerinck – Find the existence of
Viruses - Coined the term "contagium vivum fluidum“ for
Virus – Discovered symbiosis between plants & Bacteria:
Eg – Nitrogen Fixation: (N2 ----> NH3) – Discovered
Sulfate Reduction a type of Anaerobic Respiration, where
final e- acceptor is Sulfate – Concept of Enrichment
Culture: Favor the growth of particular organism over
others
Edward Jenner – Pioneer of Immunization – Developed
Small Pox Vaccine

7. NCTC: National Collection of
Type Cultures

8. Development of
Microbiology
1950s - Electron microscope was developed -
Cultivation methods for viruses were also introduced -
Development of vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, and
rubella
1900 – 1920 – Golden age of Microbiology – Based on
Germ Theory causative agents of different infectious
diseases were identified & controlled the outbreak of
diseasesAfter World War-2, Antibiotics were introduced to
medicine. The incidence of pneumonia, tuberculosis,
meningitis, syphilis, and many other diseases declined
with the use of antibiotics.
Modern microbiology focuses human welfare:
Development of pharmaceutical products, quality‐control
methods in food and dairy products, control of
disease‐causing microorganisms in consumables,
production of vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and
growth supplements.

9. Electron Micrograph
Picture of
COVID-19 Pathogen -
Corona Virus
M. Pradeep
Lecturer in
Biotechnology
GDC (M)-
Srikakulam
Mail:
mpsep15@gmail.co
m