Virus hunters: Microbiologists figure out a rogue microbe causing a disease and suggest treatment

Ali S. Khan is a field epidemiologist. He travels to remote places to investigate mysterious outbreaks of diseases. His job is to try and figure out what ?rogue? microbe is causing the disease and to help people avoid and treat these infections. As part of his job, he has grappled with some of the scariest and deadliest viruses in the world including Ebola and Hantavirus and has worked in war zones, jungles and deserts. Microbiologists essentially study diseases like the avian bird flu, HIV/AIDS, Mad Cow disease and other such deadly diseases.

Microbiology involves the study of microscopic living organisms belonging to the plant and animal kingdom in the lower phyler such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, fungi and parasite. The term was introduced by the French chemist Louis Pasteur (1822-95), who demonstrated that fermentation was caused by the growth of bacteria and yeasts. Microbiology has four sub-fields:

There?s virology which deals with the structure of viruses, the diseases caused and their treatment. Then there?s bacteriology which deals with the structure of bacteria, and the diseases caused and their treatment. Mycology deals with the structure of fungi, diseases caused and their treatment. Parasitology deals with the structure of parasites, the diseases they cause as well as their treatment.

Studies on the effect of these micro-organisms on the power of resistance on the individual (immunity) is also studied as part of the broad subject of microbiology.

What do i have to do?

Microbiologists work towards developing vaccines for prevention of diseases caused by micro-organisms.

The spread of organisms in communities and the ways and means of preventing their spread are also studied as part of this speciality. It is common knowledge that most of the illnesses are caused by the micro-organisms either alone or in combination and have a wide ranging effect on the health of the population.

The course is a combination of theory as well as practicals and involves extensive laboratory work. It is fascinating to examine bacteria through a microscope.

The work has often been described as being similar to that of detectives except that you are dealing with bacteria and viruses. One has to play Sherlock Holmes to find out the clues first and then put all these little clues together like a puzzle to find out what is actually going on. This is the crucial stage of the detection of the disease. After detection, you also find out ways on how to make a difference, like for instance, finding effective cures for these diseases.

Microbiology has specialisations like microbial physiology, microbial genetics, medical microbiology, veterinary microbiology, environmental microbiology, industrial microbiology, food microbiology, etc.

What should i study?

You should have passed your Plus Two with biology as one of the subjects for doing a BSc in microbiology. However, if you want to do an MSc, you need a BSc in microbiology, zoology or botany.

What next?

You can opt for teaching in the medical and dental colleges, agricultural institutes as well as the science faculties of colleges and universities. Research is also emerging as a lucrative field. Scientists apply their findings to the treatment and prevention of diseases and maintenance and promotion of health.

One can also go for analysis and investigation type jobs. These are carried out in order to maintain efficiency and quality. They are also used to monitor the noxious effects on living organisms and the environment.

In the food industry, biological and chemical tests are carried out on the purity of food and potentially toxic substances in the pharmaceutical industry may need to be tested on laboratory animals while in agriculture new pesticides and fertilisers are tested on experimental crops.

An offshoot research area exists in the field of biotechnology and genetics. There are a number of industrial applications as some of these microbes are useful for production in the food as well as the pharmaceutical industries. Examples include industrial fermentation and wastewater treatment. This field also includes brewing, an important application of microbiology.

WHERE TO STUDY

• Faculty of Inter Disciplinary and Applied Sciences, Delhi University
• University of Madras, Centenary Buildings Chepauk, Chennai
• University of Mysore, Crawford Hall, Mysore
• University of Pune, Ganeshkund, Pune
• Goa University, Santacruz, Taleigao Plateau, Goa