Question

What are some of the greatest achievements in advancing humanities in the understanding of microbiology?

Answer 1

Following are the some important understanding of microbiology which significantly advancing humanities:

1. Invention of Microscope: Zacharias Jansen and his father Hans are credited with making the first compound microscope in the late 16^th century. Now a days use of electronic microscopes are playing role in diagnosis and disease stage identification. Also these visualization technique has extensively used in fermentation and biotechnology.
2. Fermentation: Louis Pasteur showed that if air was prevented from entering a flask of nutrient broth, the broth remained pure. If those same flasks were exposed to air or to a drop of water teeming with organisms, the organisms would grow. Pasteur’s discovery that life is not generated spontaneously. Fermentation process is used in industry for production of food product, chemicals and medicines. These fermented product has wide scope in human life.
3. Pathological Application: Dr. Emile Roux works on the rabies treatment with desiccated spinal cords from rabbits. He invented that by studying microorganism one can treat the disease. Vaccines are the excellent example of this advancement. There are many life threatening diseases can be treated by vaccination. Hence, diagnosis, prevention and treatment can be possible with better understanding of microbiology. Robert Koch did significant research with Bacillus anthracis, Vibrio cholera and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Many of the tools used to work with bacteria, and which are still in use today, were developed in his laboratory.
4. Discovery of Antibiotics: Invention of antibiotics changed human life and microbiology field. Alexander Fleming discovery of penicillin, streptomycin by Selman Waksman led to human a new era in which disease can be treated. This field is continuously evolving with newer antibiotics and new microorganisms.
5. Probiotics: Probiotics are the beneficial and non-pathogenic microorganism to human body. Daily food such as curd contains many probiotics microorganisms. Research has shown that this microorganisms maintain the human health by keeping the balance of gut microbiota (intestinal bacteria in balance). It also plays an important role in digestion and brain functioning. Probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the few examples which helps in normal digestion. During pregnancy, external probiotic suppliment can support new born growth and brain development.
6. Environment Applications: Microbiology understanding also helps in keeping environment cycle and pollution in control. Natural populations of bacteria help cleanse the liquid of contaminants such as nitrate, perchlorate, and chlorinated organic compounds. This advancements can benefit human by maintaining natural ecosystems.
7. Applications in Genetics Study: Microbial genetics is the study of the mechanisms of heritable information in microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, viruses and some protozoa and fungi. Advancements in genetics can helps in many fields such as farming, medicines and food. Genetic manipulation can result in better quality and high yielding capacity of microbial product.