Specialties of Microbiology

The world of science is a complicated one. Every single thing that we see is made up of a countless amount of molecules. In fact, most of the organisms of the world are microscopic — unable to be seen by the naked eye. The science of microbiology studies these micro-organisms, which are unicellular or cell-cluster organisms so small that you would need a very powerful microscope to see them.

Microbiology also studies eukaryotes such as fungi, viruses, and prokaryotes. The studies involved with the science of microbiology usually involve immunology, or the study of the immune system. The pathogenic microbes studied in microbiology usually interact with immune systems. There are also many fields of study, or specialties, in the field of microbiology. Professionals in the field may specialize in anything from the study of microbes for use in industrial processes to the study of microbes in veterinary medicine. As you can see, microbiology can be a very broad subject of science, with many specialties available.

The rest of this article will list and describe 5 specialties found in the field of microbiology:

1. Cellular microbiology

Cellular microbiology is a specialty that bridges microbiology and cell biology. It was first coined in 1996 when the link between the two science fields grew so strong that many suggested a new specified discipline. Cellular microbiology usually attempts to use microbes as cell-biology research. This includes influence in signal transduction, metabolism, cell cycle, and transcriptional regulation.

2. Microbial genetics

Microbial genetics is a specialty in biotechnology and genetic engineering. The field focuses on the genetics of micro-organisms. Microbial geneticists study the genotype and the expression system in the form of phenotypes of microbial species. It also studies the genetic processes in these micro-organisms.

3. Environmental microbiology

This field of microbial science studies the physiology of microbial communities in the environment. In this case, environment means soil, water, air, and sediments covering the planets, as well as the animals that inhabit these areas. It also studies micro-organisms in artificial environments. It is estimated that we currently only know less than 1% of microbial species on earth. This allows environmental microbiologists to have an infinite amount of material to study — a gram of soil alone contains approximately 1 billion microbes representing thousands of species.

4. Food microbiology

This field of science studies micro-organisms that deal with food. These micro-organisms may inhabit, create, or contaminate food. Food spoilage is one of the largest areas of study in food microbiology. Good bacteria has also been a focus of recent study, and micro-organisms are also used in the production of many foods.

5. Industrial microbiology

This specialty focuses on the use of micro-organisms in the manufacturing of food and/or industrial products. The use of micro-organisms for the production of food is also considered part of food microbiology. The industry may isolate or genetically engineer these micro-organisms to be used in manufacturing. Micro-organisms, for example, are used to produce insulin, growth hormones, and antibodies.

X-rays

A new study reported on Monday that the total radiation exposure given by medical imaging after a heart attack found that the average patient receives an equivalent of 725 chest X-rays before leaving the hospital. The study is the first of its kind, and the numbers are extravagant. The cumulative amount of radiation exposure from 725 chest X-rays is one third the amount allowed for nuclear plant workers per year.

The problem is that doctors do not consider the cumulative effect of these tests as they order each one separately. Doctors reading the study will likely be hit with a dose of reality. A patient admitted to an academic hospital with a heart attack had an average radiation dose of 14.5 millisieverts, 5 times more than what an average American can expect to receive from ground radon or airline flights.

The study likely will change doctors’ views on the different doses of radiation that each test gives and force them to reconsider testing patterns that they use for common diagnoses.

Despite the scary numbers, there is no proof that such high amounts of radiation is enough to increase the risk for cancer. Even so, one-third of imaging tests are performed in the treatment and diagnosis of heart disease. This radiation is necessary to doctors in order to diagnose and determine the problems in the heart (such as artery blockage and blood flow).

The study gathered information and data from over 64,000 patients in 49 hospitals throughout all of the United States for a period of over three years. Researchers claimed that most patients undergo and average of about 4 tests per stay (most of which are X-rays, CT scans, and cardiac catheterizations).

The new findings should not be cause for immediate alarm, however, as the biological effects of radiation at this level are still unknown. The tests are often necessary in the doctor’s process to diagnose and treat what can be a deadly condition. Conversely, the study should open eyes, especially in regards to allowing doctors to order tests for patients that are otherwise healthy. Since 1980, it is estimated by the American Heart Association that radiation exposure from medical tests has increased sevenfold.

Hopefully, the study encourages image equipment makers to develop new low-radiation CT scanners. In June, researchers reported that they had discovered a way to cut down radiation doses in a heart CT scam by half — without sacrificing the quality. This supposedly done by tailoring each scan to the specific weight and heart rate of each patient.

Biology Exam

Many fields of science pose difficult and challenging academic fields of study for students, especially those who are not majoring in science. One of the most complex and difficult sciences is biology. In college, many majors (science fields in particular) require the student to take a biology class. This class is often a basic biology class, but still requires a large amount of reading, memorization, learning, and preparation.

Receiving an A in college biology is not an easy task. Many students struggle with reading and understand biology textbooks, while many other students have trouble staying awake during biology lectures. Biology exams can be tough to prepare for, as the subject can have an overwhelming amount of information to study. Remember that any science exam is designed to exam whether or not you understand the concepts and information of the subject.

For many high school and college students, developing a strong study routine can be difficult. There are many distractions and other reasons not to crack down on your studies. The rest of this article will focus on a few tips and steps to follow when studying for a biology or any other science exam.

1. Get Organized

Since there is a multitude of information in the subject of biology, it is important to stay organized. Keep a tidy notebook so that you can find the desired information, as well as reference the information with your study partners. Manage your time to the best of your ability. Doing so will allow you to minimize the amount of time you waste attempting to study or preparing to study.

2. Study Early

Science exams are not like math exams. Instead of formulas or processes, science exams require concepts, ideas, and information to be either memorized or fully understood. The longer the biology information stays in your head, the more likely you are to retain that information.

3. Review Notes

Review your lecture notes and your textbook before you begin studying with other people. Read through each chapter as a review, and pay special attention to summaries at the end of chapters. Often, in these summaries, there are review questions that will help you as well.

4. Study With A Group

This is particularly important in a college setting. Being in a group will allow to you ask and answer questions, a very effective method of learning. The study group will also require you to be more responsible and accountable, due to the other members of the group. Before the exam, you can gather with your group and review each of the concepts, as well as ask each other typical exam questions. If there is an available review session, you will have a chance to ask your professor (or teacher) questions.

5. Relax!

Once you feel adequately prepared for your biology exam, you should take some time off to relax. Stress can impede your memory and display symptoms that may make you feel uncomfortable. You are about to take a science exam! Get a good amount of rest and sleep so that you are prepared and ready.

Molecular Biology

Not many people dream of obtaining a job in biology. The typical high school dream of making a lot of money and obtaining a high-profile, impressive job usually involves becoming a doctor or lawyer, and not a biology scientist. However, scientists can make a good amount of money, and obtaining a job based on your intellect alone will look better to the opposite sex than you probably think!

One field of biology to consider working in molecular biology. Molecular biology may sound intimidating, but in fact is a very real field in biology that is continually growing and expanding. Obtaining a job in molecular biology may prove to be a good decision, as you will likely have great job security, learn a lot on the job, and be well compensated. In molecular biology, scientists study the structure of cells, viruses, and bacteria at their molecular level, which is the most basic level. The field also overlaps heavily with other areas of biology and chemistry, including genetics and biochemistry. Molecular biology, in particular, focuses on understanding the interactions between the different systems of a cell, including the interactions between DNA, RNA, and protein bio-synthesis.

Obtaining a job in molecular biology, or any biology in fact, requires many years of schooling, training, and commitment — even after you graduate and begin to work. As with many other biology fields, molecular biology is constantly changing, and requires continual education to keep up with. Here are some tips you can take to find a job in molecular biology.

1. Decide whether you are right for the job

A good molecular biologist must have well developed work habits and commitment. If you are detail oriented, good at problem solving, and an intuitive researcher, you may be a good molecular biologist. All scientists must also be able to communicate their findings, and subsequently are required to have written and oral skills.

2. Find the right college and program

When you are deciding on your undergraduate college and major, consider which colleges and universities have prestigious programs, both undergraduate and graduate, in biology and allied sciences. Molecular biology is a specialization of biology, and will require more skills than a normal biology major in the form of chemistry, physics, engineering and mathematics. When you graduate with an undergraduate biology degree, look for a masters program in biology or molecular biology.

3. Obtain the molecular biologist PhD

When you graduate from your masters program, seek a PhD program where you can study micro and cell biology. In addition, you may have to seek coursework in genetics, data management, and data analysis. You will likely have to find a biology lab to do fieldwork in addition to your schooling, in order obtain the experience needed for your degree.

4. Choose a thesis

Your thesis will be the first defining moment of your career as a molecular biologist. Begin your research and experiments aimed at proving your thesis. Publish your dissertation and receive your advanced degree.

5. Obtain a job

The key to obtaining a job in molecular biology is a strong portfolio of published-research findings. If you continue your research after obtaining your doctorate, you will likely develop a portfolio with enough publications of your research to obtain a job.

Biology Works

There are many biology majors in colleges and universities around the United States. For those who are not in the biology major, biology work often seems very confusing and intimidating. The truth is, biology jobs are plentiful and bountiful, and can prove to be a very lucrative major to invest in. However, those who want to conduct independent research, industrial research, or teach college are usually required to obtain a PhD degree.

Biology jobs continue to grow in the modern economy, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Biotechnological research and development continues to grow and drive the growth of biology jobs. The growth of biotechnology companies since the 1980s has caused a very rapid employment gain in biology jobs.

Biology work usually involve studying living organisms and their relationship to the environment. Much biology work involves research, while other biology work involves development of products and techniques. More recently, biology jobs have been heavily involved in biotechnology, working on various genome projects. The advances in biotechnology have created much biology work in the fields of research for commercial applications such as medicine and environmental remediation.

Listed below are some of the more popular biology jobs for those seeking biology work:

1. Biology teacher (high school)

A typical biology teacher in high school earns a median salary of $49,400. They are responsible for teaching simple biology and may be the most social application of biology work available. Scientists that enjoy working with young people and teaching are well-suited for being a teacher in high school.

2. Microbiologist

Microbiology is one of the most intimidating sounding biology jobs on the planet. This type of biology work focuses on investigating the growth and characteristics of microscopic organisms including bacteria and fungi. Most microbiologists specialize in a specific area of biology work, including food, industrial, or agricultural microbiology. They make a median salary of $52,500 and have increased job growth opportunities.

3. Research Associate in Biotechnology

As biotechnology continues to grow as an industry of biology work, more and more jobs are becoming available and job growth opportunity continues to look better. A typical research associate in biotechnology is responsible research and development through detailed observations, data collection, and interpretation of such analysis with experiments. Research associates are required to obtain an associate degree. They make a median salary of $60,300.

4. Registered Nurse

While becoming a nurse may require education well beyond the undergraduate biology degree, it is still considered biology work, as nurse constantly deal with biological issues at their job. A nurse is often responsible for taking care of a patient, either on their own or assisting a physician. A registered nurse makes a median salary of $64,500, among the highest of biology jobs.

5. Laboratory Technologist

A laboratory technologist plays a big role in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They are usually responsible for performing most tests in clinical and medical laboratories. The increase of automation and computer technology has led technologists to become more analytical. The median salary for these biology jobs is $54,500.

Microbiology

Biology is the most widespread science that is practiced today. One type of science that has shown tremendous growth and progress throughout the years is microbiology. Microbiology is the subject that studies life and organisms that are too small to see with the naked eye. More specifically, it means that it is the field of biology that covers microorganisms such as fungi, protests, and prokaryotes, which are categorized as eukaryotes. Microbiology began more than three hundred years ago, but in comparison to other forms of biology, it is still fairly young. There are other forms of biology that attributes over a hundred years of research before it was even thought about. Some of those older areas of biology that are related to microbiology is zoology and botany.

1. One of the regular studied subjects of microbiology are viruses. Ironically, viruses are not characterized as microorganisms; however, they are often at the basis of a study in this form of biology. It is commonly studied because, unfortunately, many people are diagnosed with several types of bacteria. Due to this factor, these tiny properties are studied because they are small and need to be viewed and studied with some of the same tools that are the standard to microbiology.

2.
Another common study of microbiology is bacteria. Bacteria was first discovered by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1676. He used a single-lens telescope that he had personally designed in order to make this finding. Leeuwenhoek made the best advances in biology ever, as it relates to the field of bacteriology and microbiology.

3. As much as we run away from and try to avoid microbes, believe it or not, there are some very helpful types of microbes that are in our environment. Out of the many forms of biology, microbiology is one that has a harmful component that can also be extremely helpful to the people that it can also harm. This helpfulness usually comes in the form of a type of bacteria. This form of biology is used for industrial fermentation. It also aids in the production of products such as vinegar, alcohol, some of your favorite dairy products, amino acids, and antibiotics. Yes, there are microbes that can serve in your healing process from that of another microbe. Strange, but true.

4. Microbiology is also the form of biology that is making advances as far as the pet population is concerned. Biology is being used to help improve the digestive system of these animals. There is research is being developed to see if there are probiotics and prebiotics that can prevent or heal diseases that occur in an animal’s digestive system. Microbiologists will continue to make advances for the animals, which also have to inhabit the earth.

Molecular Biology

Molecular biology is comprised of a combination of biology and chemistry mixed together. There are areas of both that are transfused in order to form molecular biology. The branches of biology and chemistry that they explore are genetics and biochemistry. Molecular biology is defined as studying the interaction between the various systems of a cell. That includes DNA, RNA, and protein bio-synthesis. If you study this form of biology, you may see your work as merely making a determination based upon the factual results. Molecular biology is recorded by using quantitative methods. During this process, molecular biologists will characterize, isolate, then manipulate the molecular component that they are studying. Unlike other forms of biology, that make discovery the answer to their results, molecular biology takes a look at the results and make a determination as to what is the conclusion. There are many aspects that this form of biology covers that is most widely studied and being approved upon in today’s laboratories.

1. It does not take a rocket scientist, a biology scientist, or molecular biology scientist for that matter, to figure out that one of the most common studies of someone that studies molecular biology is molecules. Today, and throughout time, there has been consistency in this form of biology that a person that practices molecular biology, will focus on drawing conclusions about molecules. They will study these molecules directly through the specialization called cell biology, or they will take a look at the molecule from a developmental point of view. In developmental molecular biology, it is studied from a more historical point of view, making reference to populations or species.

2. Today, there has been quite a bit of concern with technology, as far as this type of biology is concerned. Since technology is one of the key elements to society, it is imperative that it be studied from a scientific point of view to make even more rapid advancements. We are so dependent on technology, even in our daily lives, so we must continue on an upward battle to make the improvements on what has already had such a positive affect on the world. Molecular biology is used to take a deeper look into computer science in terms of bio-informatics and computational biology.

3. Also as far as today is concerned, one thing that has become prominent in terms of what is studied in molecular biology is molecular genetics. This sub-field of molecular biology has been making some of the greatest advances since the early 2000s and is still on the steady rise. There are still many questions that are unanswered, but it is always a topic of interest and is constantly studied to get more and more of those questions answered. Little by little, more and more is revealed.

Biology Jobs

Biology jobs are very popular in today’s economy. There are many reasons that you should consider getting a job in the biology field. Don’t get me wrong, you don’t just say that you want to get one of those biology jobs, and then it comes falling out of the sky. You do actually have to put in the hard work in order to obtain and keep whichever of the biology jobs that you decide to choose. That does mean undergraduate training, quite possibly master training, depending on the particular position that you would like to work, and
even doctorate training. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of opportunity and success potential for you in your career.

#1
If you are just graduating from high school and you are trying to figure out what it is that you would like to do with your life, I would advise you to go to college and be a Biology major. Biology majors have a tremendous amount of opportunities when it comes to finding biology jobs. Even though there has been a shift in the country as far as unemployment rates are concerned, there seems to be a plentiful amount of biology jobs on the market.

#2
Maybe you are in college, but you are undecided as to what your major should be, but you want to lean towards something that will allow you to get employment after you complete your schooling, then you very well may want to consider declaring biology as your major. With the biology jobs currently on the market, you will not be at all upset about your choice.. Yes, I know what you are thinking. Out of all the majors, I had to recommend one of the hardest studies in the college curriculum, biology, but the benefits will appear to be well worth all your hard work. Just remember, if you are hired in any of the biology jobs on the market, they generally require a certain amount of responsibility, so you must be prepared by getting the proper learning and training that you need.

#3
You may also want to look into getting one of the many biology jobs if you were recently laid off. If you were laid off, can’t find work in your particular industry and are looking for a career change, you should think about going back to school and studying biology. In order to get most biology jobs, it is usually required that you have received a formal education in biology. So if that means that you must go back to college or enter college for the first time as a Biology major, I would say that it is well worth it. The benefits that you are able to reap will be of great value to you.

Biology Work

Just out of college? Majored in biology? Then you came to the right economy. There are many types of biology work that are available for all you recent Biology college graduate student. Now it is time to go out there and find biology work! There are several choices that you will have in terms of finding the position that suits you best. On the contrary, recent college grad, you do not have to be a genius just because you just graduated with a biology degree. Also, don’t stress yourself with the pressure of thinking that you won’t be able to land biology work if you did not have a 4.0 grade point average in your studies. Good biology grades may help you to get biology work, but it will not completely tarnish your chances of ever getting biology work. Biology majors usually get a great training that prepares them for getting the best biology work that suits them. Just like any other field, there are often stepping stones that a person must take to make it to their ultimate goal, but that goal is definitely attainable. Out of all the biology fields that you can choose to go into, there are some areas of biology work that appear to be most sought after. Just take the time out to find out where you belong amongst the many biology occupations on the job market. Once that decision has been made, it is your opportunity to seek out the biology work that you can see yourself doing contently.

Option 1
If you are a recently graduated biology major, you may want to take on a career as a biologist. Some former biology students still feel the need to continue the focus of studying even after they have obtained a degree. They enjoy the fact that they constantly have the opportunity in biology work to conduct research and perform experiments on what it is that they enjoy learning about.

Option 2
If you graduated with a biology degree, then the very next thing that you may want to do is go back to school… to teach, that is. Teaching is a field of biology work that those with a biology degree strive to get into. Some people would like to share their knowledge with others, while always putting themselves in the position where they could possibly learn something also.

Option 3
If you have graduated with an undergraduate degree in Biology, went to medical school, completed an internship, as well as your residency, that means one of a few things. Either you really like schooling, biology, or you want to be a doctor. There is also the possibility that you have a level fondness of all aspects of the preceding. Doctors make a healthy living, and the root of this biology work stems from starting with a major in the subject.

Biology

Due to the recent advances in technology, education is a lot easier to obtain, nowadays, than ever before. There are many alternate ways that you can obtain a science degree without having to sit in the seat of a hot classroom every single day. There are some online biology courses that you can take. If you are majoring in a science field, chances are that you are going to spend a great deal of your life going to school. So, to break up some of that monotony, as viewed by some people, you may want to consider taking an online biology science course or two. An online biology course is not offered at many institutions, but there are some that tend to be offered. Many times, you will find that science courses are generally only offered if you are in physical attendance; however, there are places that offer online biology courses. You will usually find that the institutions that commonly offer this type of class typically specialize in online courses, and that is the only type of schooling that they choose to offer. There are several reasons that you may decide that you would like to take an online biology science course.

#1 You may want to go ahead and take an online biology course if that is the only way that you will continue to go to college that semester. There are times in your educational career where you may have felt that you have reached the end of your rope. You may decide that taking another semester of science will not be beneficial to you if you are not focused. Online biology will still encompass a great deal of hard work, but you may find that it will be less on your physical well-being, if you decide to take this alternative route for the semester.

#2 You may want to take an online biology course if there is an extra class that you need to take in order to graduate and this is one of the science courses that is offered that meets the requirements to complete your college degree. If this is your final science class, and you do not want to have to come back to college just for one course, taking that online biology course just may be the proper course of action for you.

#3 If you can not afford to take one of your major requirement science classes, then you should consider taking an online biology course. Chances are, depending on what institution that you attend, it may be less expensive for you to take that science course online. You may not get some of the training that you otherwise would in a classroom and a laboratory setting, but sometimes you have to adjust to what the circumstances are and make the very best of it.