Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. It covers a wide range of topics from the mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis to the biotechnological potential of microorganisms.
The history of microbiology dates back to ancient times when people first observed that some diseases could be transmitted from one person to another. In the 17th century, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek first described bacteria using a microscope. This led to a better understanding of the role microbes play in human health and disease.
Today, microbiologists use many different techniques to study microbes. These include microscopy, culture methods, molecular biology and biochemistry. Microbiology is a vital science that helps us to understand how microbes cause disease and how we can control them. It also has many practical applications in areas such as food safety and public health.