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Microbiology is the study of
microorganisms which are not visible to the
unaided eyes.
Hence require a Microscope
◦ Examples:
 Viruses
 Bacteria
 Fungi
 Protozoa
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First to observe living
microbes
Invented the compound
microscope
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belief that some forms of life
could arise from “vital forces” present in
non-living or decomposing matter,
abio-genesis.
organisms can arise form non-living
matter, can be synthesized de novo
FATHER OF MICROBIOLOGY
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French Chemistry Professor
Proposed GERM THEORY OF
DISEASE
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Disproved spontaneous generation of microbes
Showed microbes caused fermentation
Also developed vaccine against anthrax, fowl
cholera and rabies.
Pasteurization technique
Developed methods of sterilization : steam
sterilizer, hot air oven, autoclave
Liquid media for bacterial growth
Pasteur Institute , Paris
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1796 – First vaccine (smallpox)
1867 Antiseptic Surgery( Carbolic acid- Phenol)
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Hediscovered
the anthrax bacterium,
tubercle bacilli &
cholera bacilli.
Robert Koch (1843 - 1910)
Koch’s Postulates – Criteria used to
establish the link between a particular
micro-organism and its disease
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Causative agent must be present in all affected
organisms
The agent must be capable of being isolated
and cultured in pure form
When cultured agent is introduced to a
laboratory animal, same disease must occur
The same causative agent must be reisolated
from the affected animal
Antibodies directed against the organisms
should be demonstrable in host
During this period, rapid
advances, headed by Louis
Pasteur and Robert Koch, led to
the establishment of
microbiology as a science.
Paul Ehrlich- Chemotherapy
Alexander Fleming – Penicillin
Watson and Crick – DNA structure
Ruska – Electron Microscope
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