CAREER IN MICRO BIOLOGY
Microbes are invisible to the naked
eye. But the benefits they confer on mankind are as
phenomenal as they are multifarious. These tiny residents
of earth are put to good use by dozens of biotechnology
companies that look for fresh advancements in the field
of Microbes are invisible to the naked eye. But the
benefits they confer on mankind are as phenomenal as
they are multifarious. Microbes are invisible to the
naked eye. But the benefits they confer on mankind are
as phenomenal as they are multifarious. This field can
be a goldmine for hardworking graduates.
Microbiology is a dynamic field which has grown rapidly
both in fundamental knowledge and its application to
medicine, agriculture and industry. Dozens of biotechnology
companies, formed to exploit these advances, provide
employment for students with suitable training at the
masters level.
Microbiology is the study of micro-organisms such as
bacteria, viruses and algae. Our existence, health,
food, agriculture and industrial development are dependent
on them.
If microbes were to become extinct, disaster would
be inevitable and would be beyond imagination. Unknowingly,
man has made use of micro-organisms since prehistoric
times, mostly to produce food and drinks, such as leavening
bread, souring milk and making wine and beer etc. However,
it was only in the seventeenth century that the microbial
world was discovered.
The course studies the diversity of microbial types,
how micro-organisms can be used and manipulated to aid
mankind and counter the detrimental effects of micro-organisms.
New industries devoted to genetic engineering offer
microbiologists excellent career opportunities. Microbiologists
are also in demand in clinical microbiology.
Microbiology graduates are well equipped for a variety
of careers. They usually secure jobs in their respective
fields of interest, mostly in the world of science.
The job of the microbiologists is to study the growth,
development and behaviour of micro-organisms and consequently
control and utilise them for the benefit of living beings.
Their primary task is to prepare cultures of various
types of bacteria/virus, identify and isolate them.
Primary applications of microbiology are in medicine,
food technology and pharmacology.
Nature of Work
Microbiologists study and investigate micro-organisms
and their relationships with man, animals and plants.
Some of the sub-categories of microbiologists are as
follows:
Medical microbiologists: They study the role played
by micro-organisms in causing diseases in humans and
animals. They research and investigate these organisms
to find ways to cure and prevent, occurrence of these
diseases. Major breakthroughs have been made in this
field and efforts are on all over the world to find
solutions to many dreadful diseases such as AIDS.
Agricultural microbiologists: We all know that India
is an agricultural economy, and microbiologists play
an important role in improving it's output and quality.
These microbiologists study plant diseases, the role
of micro-organisms in soil fertility and spoilage of
farm products. Advances made in agricultural microbiology
have contributed in increasing agricultural output.
Industrial microbiologists: They work with industries
producing alcoholic beverages, amino acids, citric acids,
Vitamin C and antibiotics etc.
Marine microbiologists: These professionals deal with
the micro-organisms present in the ocean. It is a relatively
new division of microbiology and promises to be exciting
in the days to come.
General microbiologists: This field focuses on the
fundamentals and basic features of micro-organisms,
including ecology, metabolism, genetics, physiology
and structure.
Personality
The field of micro-biology requires dedication apart
from having scientific and analytical temper, interest
in research, observant attitude, diligence, ability
to work in team of professionals, good communication
skills and hardwork. Good mathematical and computational
skills are of added advantage.
Professional Courses
Microbiology can be pursued by candidates with background
in science at the school level. BSc and further MSc
courses can be taken up at the institutions and universities
offering these courses.
Specialisation
Biologists can further specialise in the study of
micro-organisms in the fields of their interest such
as bacteriology; study of bacteria, mycology; study
of fungi and virology; study of viruses.
Career Prospects
Microbiologists find jobs in many places like research
and development laboratories of Government and private
hospitals, research organisations, pharmaceutical, food,
beverage and chemical industries.
Being closely related to biotechnology, there are many
similarities between them, making microbiology also
a very promising career option. A steep rise in employment
avenues for microbiologists is envisaged as a result
of growing numbers of the above mentioned organisations.
Job openings
Depending upon their area of specialisation, microbiologists
work in the following sectors:
- Medical microbiologists
- Independent or clinical pathology laboratories
- R& D labs
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Dairy industry
- Manufacturers of medical disposable goods, cosmetics
and antiseptics
- Industrial microbiologists: Industrial microbiology
or microbial biotechnology is the application of scientific
and engineering principles to the processing of materials
by micro-organisms or plant and animal cells to create
useful products or processes.
The micro-organisms utilised may be natural isolates,
laboratory selected mutants or microbes that have been
genetically engineered using recombinant DNA methods.
For example, most anti-biotics come from microbial fermentations
involving a group of organisms called actinomycetes.
Yeasts are used in baking, in the production of alcohol
for beverages and in fuel production (gasohol). Other
groups of micro-organisms form products that range from
organic acids to enzymes used for the production of
various carbohydrates, amino acids and detergents.
Industrial microbiology also deals with products associated
with the food and dairy industries, with the prevention
of deterioration of processed or manufactured goods
and with waste disposal systems.
- Food technology industry (especially in the processed
food sector)
- Beverage industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Manufacturers of medical disposable goods, cosmetics
and antiseptics
- Marine microbiologists
- Marine research units
- Marine pollution control bodies
- Agricultural microbiologists
- Agricultural research bodies
- Increasingly microbiologists are working in association
with biotechnologists in R& D as well as applied
biotechnology (ie health care, fertilizers and pharmaceutical
sectors).
Remuneration
The starting salary is around Rs 8,000 and can go
up with experience and postgraduate qualifications.
Undergraduate programmes
BSc Microbiology is offered at the undergraduate
level. This is a three-year programme. This course broadly
covers the following subjects of study:
- General Microbiology
- Immunology
- Soil Microbiology
- Food Microbiology
- Environment Microbiology
- Industrial Microbiology
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Medical Microbiology
Candidates who have completed plus two (or its equivalent)
with Biology, Physics, Chemistry as electives are eligible
to apply. There is no entrance exam but colleges/universities
do specify minimum qualifying marks.
Postgraduate programmes
At the postgraduate level (MSc), specialisation
is available in the following areas:
- Applied Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Mycology
- Virology
- Medical microbiology
- Industrial microbiology
- Marine microbiology
- Agricultural microbiology
Candidates who have completed BSc Microbiology are
eligible to apply. Some colleges also allow BSc Botany/Zoology
students to pursue microbiology at the postgraduate
level.
Related areas of work
Microbiologists can diversify into the following
areas of work:
- Biotechnology (research and applications)
- Pharmacology
- Environmental science
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