The Extraordinary Science of Microbiology There are a wide variety of microorganisms in this world. The major groups of microorganisms include bacteria and fungi. These microorganisms are found all over the earth. The study of microorganisms started in the mid-1600’s. Most people believed that microorganisms only spread deadly diseases, but scientists proved that microorganisms can also be beneficial to human life. The wide variety of microorganisms that are found everywhere are most well known to be deadly; however, by studying these deadly microorganisms, scientists can find cures and save lives. Microbes were thought to be the first living organisms on earth, but it wasn’t until the mid-1600’s that they were noticed. In this century,
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Advancements in technology have allowed scientists to study all microorganisms more closely. Thanks to these advancements, in 2007, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Human Microbiome Project (HMP). The ultimate goal of the HMP is “to demonstrate that there are opportunities to improve human health through monitoring or manipulation of the human microbiome.” The Human Microbiome was first suggested by Joshua Lederberg, and in definition, means “to signify the ecological community of commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic microorganisms that literally share our body space” (Peterson …show more content…
One way to get beneficial products from bacteria is by studying the harmful bacteria. According to Prescott, “Industrial microbiology has become an important part of the field of microbiology. Industrial microbiology involves the use of microorganisms to produce organic chemicals, antibiotics, other pharmaceuticals, and food supplements” (Prescott 888). Through the processes of selection and mutation, a large variety of compounds and substrates can be produced. This variety is separated into five categories: Industrial products, agricultural products, food additives, medical products, and biofuels. A few examples of the products in these categories are vitamins, nucleotides, antibiotics, and enzymes (Prescott
Advancements in technology have allowed scientists to study all microorganisms more closely. Thanks to these advancements, in 2007, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Human Microbiome Project (HMP). The ultimate goal of the HMP is “to demonstrate that there are opportunities to improve human health through monitoring or manipulation of the human microbiome.” The Human Microbiome was first suggested by Joshua Lederberg, and in definition, means “to signify the ecological community of commensal, symbiotic, and pathogenic microorganisms that literally share our body space” (Peterson …show more content…
One way to get beneficial products from bacteria is by studying the harmful bacteria. According to Prescott, “Industrial microbiology has become an important part of the field of microbiology. Industrial microbiology involves the use of microorganisms to produce organic chemicals, antibiotics, other pharmaceuticals, and food supplements” (Prescott 888). Through the processes of selection and mutation, a large variety of compounds and substrates can be produced. This variety is separated into five categories: Industrial products, agricultural products, food additives, medical products, and biofuels. A few examples of the products in these categories are vitamins, nucleotides, antibiotics, and enzymes (Prescott