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Microbiology and Human Disease. Overview of Microbiology. Some Basic Terms. Microbiology -scientific study of microbes and microbial processes Microbe/microorganism - microscopic things that have characteristics of life (including viruses)
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Microbiology and Human Disease Overview of Microbiology
Some Basic Terms Microbiology-scientific study of microbes and microbial processes Microbe/microorganism- microscopic things that have characteristics of life (including viruses) Agent-thing that produces a certain effect such as a disease Pathogen-microbial agent of disease Culture (cultivate)-v. to grow microbes Isolate-to separate different lineages of microbes from each other in a growth medium
Infectious agents can be divided into some basic categories: Non-cellular (some would say non-living) Prions-infectious proteins Viruses-infectious particles made of DNA or RNA, protein, sometimes lipid membrane Cellular (living) Bacteria- single-celled organisms with circular DNA and no nucleus Protists-single celled organisms with nucleus and other membranous organelles Fungi-most are multi-celled; some are single celled (yeasts) organisms with nucleus and mitochondria Animals-all are multi celled organisms with nucleus, mitochondria, elaborate cellular structure, tissue, and organs
Modern Microbiology Extremely diverse branch of the life sciences American Society For Microbiology: one of the largest scientific associations in the world http://www.asm.org The divisions of ASM exemplify the important disciplines within microbiology http://www.asm.org/Meetings/index.asp?bid=28090
Overview of topics • Scientific Method and Historical Perspectives • Molecules and Cells • Diversity of Microbes • Microbial Genetics • Host-Microbe interactions and Immunity • Epidemiology • Microbiological Methods • Specific Agents of Disease • Prokaryotes (bacteria) • Eukaryotes (protists, fungi, helminthes) • Viruses and Prions
Global Microbiology Microbes have power to influence the planet. The Earth’s atmosphere was dramatically changed when bacteria first appeared. Pandemics occur when a disease outbreak is worldwide in distribution such as HIV
Applied Microbiology Biomedical engineering Conservation and Environmental policy Public Health Bio-defense Microbiology Agriculture Food and Drugs
Agriculture and Genetic Engineering Bacterial DNA Insecticide Gene Genetically modified corn
Genetic Engineering and Medicine Gene inserted into chromosome when virus invades cells Virus with ‘good’ gene
Food Production, Food Safety and Nutrition • Microorganisms are used in the production of: • Fermented beverages • Cheese • Yogurt • Bread • Some food may contain microbes that can be harmful and cause food-borne illness
Bio-Defense • Many pathogenic organisms are potential bio-warfare/bioterrorism agents • Rajneeshees cult used salmonella in the 1980’s • Unknown perpetrator used anthrax in 2001 http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/biodefense/