This document provides an overview of microbiology and the history of the field. It begins with an introduction to microbiology and explains key topics like the size and types of microorganisms. It then discusses the history of microbiology from early pioneers like Van Leeuwenhoek and discoveries around spontaneous generation and germ theory. Major developments are highlighted such as vaccines, staining techniques, and Koch's postulates. The modern areas of study and ongoing importance of microbiology are also summarized.

1. MicrobiologyMicrobiology
An introduction to microbiology
designed for allied health majors
By BugLady

2. How to Ace this ClassHow to Ace this Class
Book and slides are no substitute for active
engagement
Participate: post questions and ask for help
Don’t wait to ask
Take notes aka active learning
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3. Writing EssaysWriting Essays
Take brief notes as you go
Record all references
Create an outline
Rewrite information in your own words Use peer-review
or credible sources
 PMC: full length, peer-reviewed articles
 HON: Health on the Net; look for badge on the website
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4. Introduction to MicrobiologyIntroduction to Microbiology
Overview of course
What is microbiology?
History of microbiology
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5. Course OverviewCourse Overview
Biochemistry and Microscopy
Biology of microorganisms
Metabolism
Growth and Ecology
Containment of Microorganisms
Genetics and Bioengineering
Mutations and Bacterial Recombination
Viruses
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6. CourseCourse OverviewOverview
Antibiotics
Innate Immune System
Adaptive Immune System
Host Microbe Interactions
Disorders of the Immune System
Epidemiology
Classification
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7. MicrobiologyMicrobiology
Microbiology is the study of all the
organisms that are too small to be seen
with the naked eye (<0.1mm)
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8. Size of Particles andSize of Particles and
MicroorganismsMicroorganisms
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Limit of light microscope

9. Why Study Microbiology?Why Study Microbiology?
Impact on human life
Decomposers
Microbes are ubiquitous: soil, water, ice cap,
hot vents, body
Extremely adaptable
Simple models to study biological processes
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10. Positive Impact on Human LifePositive Impact on Human Life
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11. Negative Impact on Human LifeNegative Impact on Human Life
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12. Scientific NamesScientific Names
Escherichia coli
o Honors the discoverer, Theodor Escherich, and
describes the bacterium’s habitat, the large intestine
or colon.
Staphylococcus aureus
o Describes the clustered arrangement of the cells
(staphylo-) and the golden color of the colonies.
After the first use, scientific names may be abbreviated with
the first letter of the genus and the species:
• Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are found in the human body: S
aureus on skin and E coli in the large intestine.
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13. Use of LatinUse of Latin
One bacterium – many bacteria
One medium – several media
One bacillus – many bacilli
One staphylococcus – many
staphylococci
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14. Two Empires and Three DomainsTwo Empires and Three Domains
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Pathogens are disease causing agents or
organisms

15. PrionsPrions
Prions Proteinaceous infectious particles
Diseases linked to the presence of prions
are transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies (e.g. mad cow
disease).
Misfolded proteins
Slow infection (20-30 years)
No cure
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16. VirusesViruses
Not cells
Will not propagate on their own
No metabolism
Contain genetic/protein material
Phages, tobacco mosaic virus,
HIV, causative agents of
common cold, flu, polio,
chicken pox
Viruses infect organisms from
the 3 domains of life
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National Institute of General Medical Sciences

17. Three DomainsThree Domains
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http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/historyoflife.php

18. Prokaryotes and EukaryotesProkaryotes and Eukaryotes
Prokaryote = no nucleus
Archaea and Bacteria are prokaryotes
Eukaryote = true nucleus
Protists, plants, fungi, and animals are
eukaryotes
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19. ArchaeaArchaea are Prokaryotesare Prokaryotes
No true nucleus, no organelles, 1-5µ length
Classified as Bacteria until 1979
Molecular structures closer to Eukaryotes
Eukaryotes and Bacteria diverged from
Archaea
Oldest known organisms on Earth.
o Fossil records show over 3.6 BILLION years ago
No known pathogens
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20. ExtremophilesExtremophiles
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Hydrothermal vent
Courtesy: NASADead Sea Courtesy: EXACT-ME
Geyser
Courtesy: Volcano Hazards
Team/USGS
Polar ice Courtesy: NOAA

21. BacteriaBacteria
Bacteria are unicellular microscopic organisms that
lack a true nucleus.
Less than 10% of bacteria cause diseases
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Staphylococcus epidermidis Neisseria sicca

22. Bacteria or EubacteriaBacteria or Eubacteria
Bacteria grow in a wide variety of habitats
and conditions.
Bacteria have a wide range of environmental
and nutritive requirements.
Bacteria play important roles in the global
ecosystem.
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23. BacteriaBacteria
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Bacilli
Escherichia coli
Courtesy: Public Health Library
Courtesy: Environmental Protection Agency

24. EukaryaEukarya
The word 'eukaryote' means 'true nucleus’
Eukaryotes contain a true nucleus and membrane-
bound organelles
Nucleus: genetic material
Organelles:
o specific function
o subcellular structures bound by membranes
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25. ProtistsProtists
Unicellular or poorly differentiated organisms
Plankton, flagellates, protozoa, algae…are all
protists.
Important infectious diseases are caused by
parasitic protists: malaria, sleeping sickness,
dysentery
Red tide causes poisoning
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Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
Courtesy of CDC
Cyclospora cayetanensis
Courtesy of CDC

26. FungiFungi
Use organic materials for energy
Both multicellular (molds and mushrooms) and
unicellular - single cell- (yeasts) organisms
Source of antibiotics, food, bread and alcohol
Mycosis are fungal infections
o Pneumocystis (pneumonia in HIV patients), tinea
(athlete’s foot), thrush
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Courtesy: CDC

27. HelminthesHelminthes
Helminthes are parasitic worms
o Tape worms, flukes, pinworms
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Courtesy of the Public Health Library

28. ReviewReview
http://www.quia.com/rr/240939.html
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29. History of MicrobiologyHistory of Microbiology
The Golden Ages
1850s: Gram, Pasteur, Koch…
1940-1950s: antibiotics
Now: Microbiome, metagenomics,
probiotics, asthma, MS, RA

30. History of Microbiology IHistory of Microbiology I
The Golden Age (mid-19The Golden Age (mid-19thth
century)century)
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Scientific Discovery Technical Progress
Cell theory – Schwann, Virchow
1858
Growth media – Koch’s Lab
1880s
Disproving spontaneous
generation – Pasteur 1865
Staining protocols – Gram 1884
Postulate rules – Koch 1890 Disinfection - Semmelweis
1847 Lister 1867
Development of vaccines-
Jenner 1796
Sterilization procedures – 1879
Tyndall, Pasteur’s Lab

31. The First ObservationsThe First Observations
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek
(1673-1723)
Described live
microorganisms in
teeth scrapings, rain
water, and peppercorn
infusions.
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Figure 1.2b

32. VaccinationVaccination
1796: Edward Jenner and cowpox
Called vaccination from vacca for cow
The protection is called acquired immunity
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33. The Debate Over SpontaneousThe Debate Over Spontaneous
GenerationGeneration
Spontaneous Generation:
oLiving organisms arise
from nonliving matter.
Biogenesis
oLiving organisms arise
from preexisting life.
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Louis Pasteur

34. Louis PasteurLouis Pasteur
Pasteur developed swan necked flask to show
that air is filled with microbes
Was able to demonstrate infusions remained
sterile even if flask was left open
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Original sketches of Pasteur (1861)

35. The Germ Theory of DiseaseThe Germ Theory of Disease
Pasteur’s work showed microbes are in the air, can
spoil food, and cause animal diseases
Joseph Lister (1860s)
o used a chemical disinfectant to prevent
surgical wound infections.
Robert Koch (1876)
o provided proof that a bacterium causes
anthrax
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36. Koch’s PostulatesKoch’s Postulates
The agent must be present in every case of
infection and absent from healthy individuals
The agent can be isolated from infected
organism and grown in a pure culture
The disease can be reproduced by inoculating a
healthy organism with a pure culture
The agent can be isolated from the newly
infected organism
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37. 05/07/15 37
Courtesy: CDC Adapted from: Hosp Epidemiol Infect Control, 2nd
Edition, 1999

38. History of Microbiology IIHistory of Microbiology II
Antibiotics 1940-current
Biotechnology 1978-current
Genetics 1920-current
Human Microbiome Project
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39. Gentlemen, microbes will have the lastGentlemen, microbes will have the last
word!word!
“…It is time to close the book on infectious diseases…”
William Stewart, US Surgeon General in a message to Congress
1969
Antibiotics resistance
The big 3: TB, HIV, malaria
Microbiome, obesity, allergies
New threats: Health Acquired Infection (HAI), MERS,
H7N9, Ebola virus
Ecological balance
Bioremediation
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