Message from the Author

A billion years ago, microorganisms changed the earth for all other organisms to live. These microscopic organisms produce most of the oxygen we inhale, decompose organic materials, maintain nutrient cycles, make the basis of food chains, and fix atmospheric nitrogen, to name a few benefits. Thus, it is evident that we cannot live without microorganisms.

On that same point, we recognize how much microbiologists have contributed to expanding our life span. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek made the simple microscope and saw microorganisms for the first time. Robert Hook discovered microorganisms that cause disease, Edward Jenner discovered the first vaccine for smallpox, and Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, penicillin.

Today, microorganisms are used in various productions, such as making beer, wine, vinegar, cheese, cellulose, non-meat-based protein, antibiotics, and insulin. In addition, bacteria are used for sewage treatment, to control environmental pollution and pest control; the list goes on and on.

However, few bacteria, fungi, protists, algae, and viruses are pathogenic or cause food spoilage. The good thing is that pathogens are weak and less competitive than other microorganisms living on us and in us. Louis Pasteur was the first to find that pathogens are fragile, and he saw that increasing the heat for a short time can kill pathogens and food spoilage bacteria. Today we use pasteurization for products such as milk, beer, and fruit juices. Microbiologists are always trying to find ways to control pathogens and food spoilage microorganisms. In addition, microorganisms cause emerging infections. Therefore, the world needs more microbiologists to prevent adverse reactions coming from microorganisms.

Knowing microbiology techniques is a skill, and once learned, students can directly join the workforce after graduating from college. Using a lab manual for a microbiology lab is always good to provide students with an explicit working knowledge of protocols.

There are many good microbiology laboratory manuals, but the Essential Topics in Microbiology lab manual is unique because it strengthens your working skills in the lab. It has concisely summarized lab tests with lab safety, aseptic techniques, isolating, cultural, and biochemical techniques. This manual also includes ways to discard materials at the end of each lab. Some other fascinating aspects of this book include the protocols broken into simple steps, actual pictures showing those steps, worksheets, and detailed post-lab questions.

Today’s scientists lean towards DNA analysis in identifying organisms, but almost all clinically important bacteria can be identified by using biochemical reactions within a short time. In addition, microbial cultures are required to learn microbial ecology and metabolic reactions.

I write protocols on the whiteboard daily for my students and share the wonders of microbiology.   I want to share my teaching strategies with other biology students, whether they perceive a career in microbiology in the future or not.

This book gears you to remember microbiology long after graduating college and apply your knowledge daily.

I hope you enjoy learning microbiology as much as I enjoy teaching it!

 Thank you,                               

 Sincerely,

 Dr. Kumudini Munasinghe