Golden age of Microbiology

1. The golden age of
Microbiology

2. The golden age
of Microbiology

3. The golden
age of
Microbiology

4. What is the Golden age of Microbiology?
• Microbiology has played an essential role in the development and foundation of
modern science from the middle of the 19th century.
• The study of the microbial world, faced with systematic and multidisciplinary
characters, has been the central trunk from which other disciplines were derived.
• These disciplines presently enjoy a spectacular level of importance: biochemistry,
immunology, virology or chemotherapy.
• The proof of microorganisms as the real etiological agents of infectious diseases
marks the zenith of the period between 1850 and 1915 known as the Golden Age of
Microbiology.
• This landmark coincided with the promulgation and promotion of the Nobel Prize in
1901.
• For this reason, during only the first decade, microbiologists of universal fame were
honored with the prestigious award on five occasions.
• Since then, the contribution of microbiology to scientific knowledge has been of
incalculable value, deserving the recognition of the Nobel Prize on several occasions,
fulfilling the famous aphorism attributed to Pasteur: “The role of the infinitely small in
nature is infinitely great.”

5. Three main areas of the Golden age of Microbiology
1. The proof of microorganisms as the real etiological agents of
infectious diseases marks the zenith of the period between 1857
and 1914 known as the Golden Age of Microbiology.”
2. Between Pasteur and Koch, the Golden Age of Microbiology
achieved its greatest discoveries. Pathogens were identified,
vaccines created, methodologies perfected, and foundations
established that support modern research today.
3. While some fear microbes due to the association of some
microbes with various human diseases, many microbes are also
responsible for numerous beneficial processes such as industrial
fermentation (e.g. the production of alcohol, vinegar and dairy
products), antibiotic production and act as molecular vehicles to
transfer DNA to complex organisms such as plants and animals.

6. The major contributors to
Microbiology
• Anton Van Leeuwonhoek was aDutch tradesman and scientist. He is commonly known as "the
Father of Microbiology", and considered to be the first microbiologist. He is best known for his work
on the improvement of the microscope and for his contributions towards the establishment of
microbiology.
Louis Pasteur: a French chemist and microbiologist renowned for his discoveries of the principles
of vaccination, microbial fermentation and pasteurization. He is remembered for his remarkable
breakthroughs in the causes and preventions of diseases, and his discoveries have saved
countless lives ever since.
Joseph Lister: By applying Louis Pasteur's advances in microbiology, he promoted the idea
of sterile portable ports while working at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Lister successfully introduced
carbolic acid (now known as phenol) to sterilise surgical instruments and to clean wounds, which
led to a reduction in post-operative infections and made surgery safer for patients.
Robert Koch: a celebrated German physician and pioneeringmicrobiologist. As the founder of
modern bacteriology, he is known for his role in identifying the specific causative agents
of tuberculosis, cholera, andanthrax and for giving experimental support for the concept of
infectious disease.
Luc Montaignier: a French virologist and joint recipient with Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Harald
zur Hausen of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of the HIV.

7. Different types of Microbiology fields
• Bacteriology: the study of bacteria
• Mycology: the study of fungi
• Protozoology: the study of protozoa
• Phycology/algology: the study of algae
• Parasitology: the study of parasites
• Immunology: the study of the immune system
• Virology: the study of viruses
• Nematology: the study of nematodes
• Microbial cytology: the study of microscopic and submicroscopic details of microorganisms
• Microbial physiology: the study of how the microbial cell functions biochemically. Includes the study of microbial growth,
microbial metabolism and microbial cell structure
• Microbial ecology: the relationship between microorganisms and their environment
• Microbial genetics: the study of how genes are organized and regulated in microbes in relation to their cellular functions
Closely related to the field of molecular biology
• Cellular microbiology: a discipline bridging microbiology and cell biology
• Evolutionary microbiology: the study of the evolution of microbes. This field can be subdivided into:
• Microbial taxonomy: the naming and classification of microorganisms
• Microbial systematic: the study of the diversity and genetic relationship of microorganisms
• Generation microbiology: the study of those microorganisms that have the same characters as their parents
• Systems microbiology: a discipline bridging systems biology and microbiology
• Molecular microbiology: the study of the molecular principles of the physiological processes in microorganisms

8. Applied Microbiology
• Medical microbiology: the study of the pathogenic microbes and the role of
microbes in human illness. Includes the study of microbial pathogenesis and
epidemiology and is related to the study of disease pathology and immunology.
This area of microbiology also covers the study of human microbiota, cancer, and
the tumor microenvironment.
• Pharmaceutical microbiology: the study of microorganisms that are related to the
production of antibiotics, enzymes, vitamins,vaccines, and other pharmaceutical
products and that cause pharmaceutical contamination and spoil.
• Industrial microbiology: the exploitation of microbes for use in industrial
processes. Examples include industrial fermentation and wastewater treatment.
Closely linked to the biotechnology industry. This field also includes brewing, an
important application of microbiology.
• Microbial biotechnology: the manipulation of microorganisms at the genetic and
molecular level to generate useful products.
• Food microbiology: the study of microorganisms causing food spoilage and
foodborne illness. Using microorganisms to produce foods, for example by
fermentation.
•
Agricultural microbiology: the study of agriculturally relevant microorganisms.