Microbiology
Introduction: Microbiology is a branch of Biology that includes the study of growth, characteristics and various other aspects related to the life cycle of micro organisms such as protozoa, algae, fungi, bacteria and viruses. In other words, it is the study of microscopic organisms. Micro-organisms are very small organisms which are not visible through naked eye. Sometimes they are even referred to as microbes as they are studied under microscope, being very small in appearance. Microbiology is a broad term which includes many branches like Bacteriology, Virology, Mycology, Parasitology (a part of Protozoology, as some parasites are protozoa) and others.
There are both harmful and beneficial microbes on the earth. There are certain microbes which cause infectious diseases while some others are used as a source of antibiotics or vitamins. Some cause food spoilage while others are responsible for nitrogen fixation from the atmosphere. Some produce enzymes that convert complex materials into simple substances, helping in the disposal of wastes.
A person who specializes in the area of Microbiology is called as Microbiologist. The task of microbiologists involves investigation of the fascinating world of micro organisms or microbes. Microbiologists explore the relationship of micro organisms with other creatures and their consequence on the life of human beings. A microbiologist is a scientist who studies living organisms and infectious agents many of which can only be seen through a microscope. Microbiologists play a significant role in the society, as they are the people who conduct research on the positive as well as negative effects of microorganisms on humanity. Everyday microbiologists around the world explore, investigate and discover how these organisms, exist and affect our lives.
They have been responsible for the development of vaccines, antiserums against a wide variety of diseases including small pox, typhoid, whooping cough, polio, measles etc. The study of microbiology is comprehensive in nature. Microbiologists can specialize in a variety of areas. They can further specialize in the study of micro-organisms in the fields of their interest such as bacteriology-study of bacteria, mycology-study of fungi, Protozoology-study of protozoa and virology - study of viruses.
Degrees,Eligibility & Course Areas:
Microbiology being a science subject can be pursued by candidates with background in science at higher secondary level. B.Sc. and further M.Sc. courses and Ph.D can be taken up at the institutions and universities offering these courses. Candidates who have passed 12th or equivalent with Biology or Mathematics as one of their subjects can opt for under graduate courses. For post graduate courses the students who have passed B.Sc with Life Science/Microbiology are eligible.
Micro organisms can be studied from the point of view of taxonomy (Classification of organisms into groups), morphology (Study of its shape and structure), bio chemistry (study of the chemical processes within organisms), physiology (study of functions of cells, tissues & organs), ecology (study of how organisms interact with their environment), genetics (study of inheritance and variation in organisms) or other aspects. At the undergraduate and graduate level studies will touch topics like bacterial genetics and physiology, inorganic and organic chemistry, immunology, analytical chemistry, genetics etc. These courses involve many hours of lab work and independent research, especially in Ph.D. programs. Elective courses in microbiology and related subjects may vary depending upon the students specific interests. For instance, if it is agricultural microbiology the student will need to study botany and plant pathology and if he/she is interested in working in chemical industries, a course in chemical engineering engineering might be more suitable.
Personal skills:
Microbiology is regarded as a research oriented field that requires utmost dedication apart from having scientific and analytical temper, interest in research, observant attitude and determination. So people with these qualities can opt for this career. Along with this, candidates must possess diligence, ability to work in a team of professionals, good communication skills and hard work. Good mathematical and computational skills are of added advantage.
Top Colleges in India for Microbiology:
- University of Delhi - New Delhi.
- All India Instt. Of Med. Sciences, Ansari Nagar - Delhi
- Jamia Hamdard - New Delhi.
- Kurukshetra University - Kurukshetra
Processes & Career Options:
Due to the advancement in the field of science and technology, the scope of research in the field of microbiology has widened. As a result, people who have studied science as the main subject opt for building their career in the field of microbiology. A Career in microbiology can be a lucrative option in India as well as abroad. Numerous institutions all over India and abroad offer degree programs at under graduate as well as at post graduate levels in the field of microbiology. While a Ph.D or master's degree is required for Research & Development positions, Bachelor degree holders have employment potential as laboratory technicians, aids to biological scientists or as biology teachers.
Microbiologists work in almost every industry and have many different responsibilities. Microbiologists find jobs in many places like research and development laboratories of government and private hospitals, research organisations, pharmaceutical, food, beverage and chemical industries. Universities, research institutes and industrial companies employ microbiologists to do basic, environmental, healthcare and agricultural research. Medical microbiologists also work in hospitals and Health Protection Agency laboratories. Industrial microbiologists work in a range of companies – from big pharmaceutical, biochemical, biotechnology and food businesses through to smaller firms that develop biopharmaceuticals or specialist products.
A large number of students go abroad to pursue Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral studies after getting scholarships through GRE or TOEFL. After completion of Ph.D. they are usually employed by foreign Universities or Research and Development (R&D) wings of major Pharmaceutical Companies. Microbiologists work in many UK bioscience and food companies. They carry out research and develop new products or work in quality control to monitor manufacturing processes and check the microbiological safety of goods such as medicines, cosmetics, toiletries, biochemicals and food and drink.
Microbiologists can also become faculty members in Universities, Colleges or teachers in Schools, etc. For college teaching, a master's degree may be acceptable along with qualification of CSIR – NET, but a doctorate opens more avenues. Teaching and research at the university level and high level employment with good promotion prospects in non-academic research institutes, private industry and government agencies usually require a Ph.D.
Self employment is also a very good option for microbiologists to start their professional career. They can set up microbiological laboratories of their own and can help in diagnosing the disease and researchers to direct their own research. There are large, private research institutes that conduct Microbiological/ epidemiological studies for Government agencies where there is a sudden outbreak of any epidemic disease.
The career opportunities to choose from as a microbiologist will depend on the level of education and training you receive. Some of the career options available to microbiologists are as follows:
Medical Microbiologists: Medical microbiologists study the role played by micro-organisms in inflicting diseases in humans and animals. They research and investigate these organisms to find ways to cure and prevent, occurrence of these diseases. Scientist in these areas perform research on vaccines, antiserums and products of biological origin.
Public Health Microbiologist: It is clearly related to medical microbiology. Public health micro-biologist tries to control the spread of communicable diseases. They often monitor community food establishments and water supplies in an attempt to keep them safe and free from infectious disease agents, and ensure the proper disposal of sewage.
Bacteriologists: Work in the field of bacteriology and study bacteria.
Agricultural Microbiologist: Agricultural microbiologists study plant diseases, the role of micro-organisms in soil fertility and spoilage of farm products.
Industrial Microbiologists: Industrial microbiologists work with industries producing products such as alcoholic beverages, amino acids, citric acids, Vitamin C and antibiotics etc. with the help of micro-organisms.
Marine Microbiologists: Marine microbiologists deals with the micro-organisms present in the ocean. It is a relatively new division of microbiology and promises to be an exciting one.
Environmental Microbiologists: Work in the field of environmental science and study microbial processes in the environment.
Food Microbiologists: Work in the food industry and study microorganisms that cause foodborne illness and spoilage. Scientists working in food and dairy microbiology try to prevent microbial spoilage of food and the transmission of food borne diseases such as botulism and salmonellosis. They also use micro-organisms to make foods such as cheese, yoghurts, Single Cell Protein (SCP), pickles, wine and beer. In the future micro-organisms may become a more important nutrient source for livestock and humans.
Mycologists: work in the field of mycology and study fungi.
Protozoologists: work in the field of protozoology and study protists.
Immunologists: Investigate the body's defense against disease. to answer basic questions about bacterial growth, metabolism, diversity and evolution.
Parasitologists: Investigate the complex life cycles of and adaptations made by organisms which depend on other organisms for survival.
Biochemist: Discover and teach us how organisms obtain energy, consume nutrients and reproduce.
Biotechnologist: Manipulate genes in order to modify microorganisms. Their work produced novel organisms that make new products for human use. (i.e. insulin, medicine, grocery store items).
Teachers: Educate students about the usefulness and uniqueness of microorganisms.
Virologists: Study viruses and bacteriophages. Virologists are interested in how viruses change and are always on the alert for new types.
General Microbiologists: General microbiology focuses on the fundamentals and basic features of micro-organisms including ecology, metabolism, genetics, physiology and structure.
Challenges:
Maintaining Compliance Levels in Microbiology Programs
Promoting Advanced Aseptic Processing Technologies Within Your Organizations
Increasing Microbial Testing Productivity, Flexibility, and Cost Effectiveness
Implementing Rapid Microbial Methods
Setting Microbial Requirements That Take into Account the Analytical Capabilities of the Test Methods
Information source: http://www.americanpharmaceuticalreview.com/Featured-Articles/113091-Top-Five-Challenges-Facing-Pharmaceutical-Microbiologists/
Remuneration: Microbiologists who are employed in govt. /private organization get lucrative remuneration along with perk and other benefits as revised from time to time. In India, the professionals who are working in pharma or biotech labs can get starting salary somewhere between Rs.10, 000 – Rs.15, 000 per month. With two or three years of experience the salary gets doubled.
Those who are working in govt. organizations or research labs also get handsome salary with other benefits. The salary ranges from Rs.10, 000- Rs.20, 000. The Junior Research fellows who work on various projects get monthly fellowship of Rs.12, 000.
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