10/23/09-10/24/09
Microbiology Retreat

12/16/09
Ricketts Symposium

Mad Scientist

Microbiology is the scientific discipline that examines microbes and microbial diseases. Microbes, extremely small organisms that require microscopic tools for visualization, encompass bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. The discoveries of these organisms at the beginning of the 20th century and the identification of microbes as the causative agents of human, animal and plant diseases led to a revolution that now represents modern medicine and the very broad aspects of biological sciences. Antimicrobial therapies, vaccines, hygiene and antiseptic techniques can be viewed as intellectual achievements that are the foundation of the current medical revolution. Apart from the contributions of Microbiology to human health, the foundations of modern molecular biology and genetics rest on research carried out on microbes. Basic research in Microbiology underlies the efforts to eradicate important pathogens from human populations and at the same time serves as the basis for the gene therapy of the future.