Microbiology and applied microbiology are closely related fields, but they differ significantly in their focus and goals. Microbiology is the foundational science that studies microorganisms—including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa—their characteristics, and their interactions with the environment. Applied microbiology, in contrast, takes this foundational knowledge and uses it to solve practical problems or create useful products.
Microbiology: The Fundamentals
Microbiology delves into the fundamental aspects of microbial life. This includes:
- Microbial physiology: Understanding how microorganisms function, their metabolism, and their growth.
- Microbial genetics: Studying the genetic material of microorganisms and how it influences their traits.
- Microbial ecology: Examining the roles microorganisms play in various ecosystems.
- Microbial pathogenicity: Investigating how microorganisms cause diseases.
- Microbial taxonomy: Classifying and organizing different microorganisms.
Research in microbiology often involves laboratory experiments aiming to expand our understanding of microbial processes. For example, researchers might study the mechanisms by which a specific bacterium causes infection or investigate how microbial communities interact in the soil. This type of research often lays the groundwork for advancements in applied microbiology.
Applied Microbiology: Putting Knowledge to Work
Applied microbiology leverages the principles of microbiology to address specific needs. This includes:
- Industrial microbiology: Utilizing microorganisms for producing commercially valuable products like antibiotics, enzymes, and fermented foods (e.g., cheese, yogurt, beer).
- Medical microbiology: Applying microbiological knowledge to diagnose and treat infectious diseases, develop vaccines, and combat antibiotic resistance.
- Environmental microbiology: Employing microorganisms for bioremediation (cleaning up pollutants), wastewater treatment, and other environmental applications.
- Agricultural microbiology: Using microorganisms to improve crop yields, protect plants from diseases, and enhance soil fertility.
Applied microbiology often involves large-scale processes and collaborations with engineers, chemists, and other professionals. For example, a company might use applied microbiology to develop a new strain of bacteria that produces a more efficient enzyme for industrial use. Or, researchers might work to develop a new method for bioremediation using microorganisms to clean up oil spills.
Key Differences Summarized:
| Feature | Microbiology | Applied Microbiology |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Fundamental research and understanding | Practical applications and problem-solving |
| Goal | Expand scientific knowledge | Develop products, processes, or solutions |
| Applications | Basic research, knowledge creation | Industry, medicine, environment, agriculture |
| Scale | Typically laboratory scale | Often large-scale, industrial processes |
In essence, microbiology provides the theoretical foundation upon which applied microbiology builds. One could consider applied microbiology as a practical application of the knowledge generated through fundamental microbiological research.
