Introduction to Microbiology

Microbiology is the study of tiny, living things; their characteristics, and how they affect the world. Because microbes have the potential to affect most living things, whether by disease or application; microbiology is essential to track both positive and negative outcomes of the work of microbes. Microorganisms evolve as they affect the environment, adapting to changes in medicine and therapy. As technology advances, scientists must use this knowledge to better understand how to control microorganisms, for the health and safety of people, animals and plants.

Virology

• American Society for Virology: A membership association for professionals who work in the fields of virology and how it affects humans, plants and animals. Continuing education opportunities, as well as networking and research information is available.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Proliferation, prevention and symptoms of the West Nile Virus, as well as measures the CDC is taking to manage the virus.
• Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy: History, considerations, control and vaccine prevention of the pandemic influenza virus.
• Diagnostic Methods in Virology: Explanations of methods used to examine and isolate viruses, as well as diagnosing through serology and cell culture.
• Institute for Antiviral Research: A division of Utah State University that works to promote research into recognizing specific viruses and developing antiviral regimens to control spread.
• The Institute of Human Virology: A research institute that coordinates efforts specifically into the treatment and prevention of viral diseases.
• Kids Health: Background, transmission, symptoms and prevention of rabies for kids and adults from the Nemours Foundation.
• La Trobe University: A research study about the immunity benefits of breast milk and potential transmission of viral infection from mother to baby.
• UC Irvine School of Biological Sciences: Information about the different types of herpes viruses, including cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr. Written by researcher Dr. Edward Wagner.
• Viruses: From Structure to Biology: A background on the history of virology and how scientists discovered the effects of viruses.

Bacteria

• Bacterial Cell Structure: An explanation of bacteria structure at the cellular level, including information about cell wall composition, cytoplasm and various other components.
• Bacterial Food-Borne Illness: Facts and preventive measures about specific bacteria that cause food-borne illness.
• Bacteria and Fungi: A definition of what bacteria are and its earliest discoveries, as well as the more common forms.
• Bacterial Types: Three basic types of bacteria, with photographs showing the different representations of each from Northwest College.
• Characteristics of Bacteria: An account of some different types of bacteria, their characteristics and effects of different species. Also mentions some positive work of bacteria.
• Cornell University: A discussion of different types of bacteria and how they invade and spread. Also includes some of the more common types of bacterial infestations.
• Estrella Mountain Community College: An explanation of the various types of bacteria and how they differ in structure and adaptation.
• General Aspects of Bacterial Pathogenesis: An explanation of how bacteria proliferate and cause disease. The article discusses some of the evolutionary behavior of bacteria in relation to present-day antibiotics.
• Introduction to the Bacteria: History, types, growth and structure of bacteria from the University of California Museum of Paleontology.
• Organisms that can Cause Pneumonia: Common features and modes of transmission of the most frequent types of bacteria that cause pneumonia from A.T. Still University.

Parasitology

• The American Society of Parasitologists: A professional membership organization for those involved in research, study and work with parasites and their effect on the environment.
• The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene: An organization that works to treat and prevent the spread of parasite and vector infection in developing countries.
• The Open Parasitology Journal: An open, online journal with access to research articles specifically related to parasitology.
• Parasitology: Information about parasites, including what they are, how they cause disease and descriptions of various types.
• Parasite Clinic: A clinic located in London that is involved with parasite detection, prevention and treatment in the population.
• Southeastern and Eastern European Parasitologists: A professional association of parasitologist’s that offers education, news and trends, research and a journal publication.
• The Trichinella Page: A site devoted specifically to the parasite Trichinella. Covers the biology and structure of the organism as well as news and related research.
• What is a Parasite?: A basic explanation of parasites with a glossary of types from the University of Arizona.
• The World Federation of Parasitologists: A professional organization that collaborates the efforts of scientists who work in education and research related to parasites.
• The World of Parasites: An interactive site that shows what types of parasites are found around the world, as well as the diseases they cause and mortality rates.

Mycology

• Fungifest: News, events and information about fungus, primarily directed toward different types of mushrooms.
• Dr. Fungus: Descriptive information about fungus that is easy to read. Includes explanations about drug types, illness and laboratory diagnostic procedures.
• International Society for Human and Animal Mycology: An association of scientists and researchers dedicated to educating the public about mycology and any new developments in its science.
• Medical Mycology: A presentation about pathogenic fungi found in medical mycology. Explanation of fungal structure and reproduction with several photos.
• Mycology of Dermophyte Infections: Brief background and species information about ringworm skin infections.
• Mycology Reference Center: A medical reference organization that helps to diagnose and prevent fungal infections in people as well as to provide education about fungal management.
• The Mycological Society of America: A professional organization of scientists devoted to studying types of fungi. Provides annual meetings, newsletters and information about jobs.
• MykoWeb: An online resource of background, photos and books related to mushrooms and other types of fungus.
• True Pathogenic Fungi & Opportunistic Fungi Mycoses: An overview of the types of fungal infections and associated diseases, as well as diagnosis and treatment therapies.
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine: An introductory explanation of fungi and the basic types. Includes information about classification and opportunistic diseases.

Bacteriology

• Bacterial Respiration: An animated site showing the structural components of bacteria, including elements of respiration and electron transport.
• Biology of Microorganisms: A comprehensive online resource with information about microbial growth, taxonomy and epidemiology. It is intended for use as a study guide for a particular book, but reads well as a solo primer.
• Food Bacteriology: Information about how bacteria infect food, and how the State of Missouri conducts investigations to prevent food-borne illness.
• Journal of Bacteriology: An online accessible journal with research articles specifically related to the science of bacteriology.
• Microbiology and Immunology Online: An explanation of what bacteria are, as well as how they proliferate and survive through infecting a host.
• Nutrition and Cultivation of Bacteria: Classification of some bacteria and their nutritional and environmental requirements for survival.
• Online Textbook of Bacteriology: A comprehensive discussion of bacteriology, its pathogenesis and its relationship to both humans and animals.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: A handbook of many different types of bacteria that cause disease. Includes information about frequency, diagnosis, complications and mortality.
• University of Toledo: Information about an exhibit showing the history of the development of bacteriology in the United States.
• The Virtual Museum of Bacteria: An online reference about bacteriology and the types of diseases bacteria cause. Lists information about vaccines and antibiotics as well.

Biotechnology

• BioMed Central: An open access publisher providing articles and research related to various fields, including bio-medicine, biotechnology and clinical pathology.
• Biotechnology: A description of what biotechnology is and how it is applied in the world, particularly through animal health, pharmaceutical processing and medical treatments.
• Biotechnology and its Applications: A discussion of the various types of use for biotechnology through industrial and environmental functions.
• Biotechnology Industry Organization: A wealth of information about biotechnology and how it is used around the world. Includes conference information, news and current events.
• Center for Science in the Public Interest: Information about the Biotechnology Project related to genetically engineered plants and animals.
• National Center for Biotechnology Information: An organization of researchers and scientists that provide outreach and education for others in the field of biotechnology.
• The National Health Museum: A brief explanation about what biotechnology is and how it is used in science.
• North Carolina Biotechnology Center: An organization that supports research, education, business and development related to biotechnology in the state of North Carolina.
• Tools of Genetic Ingenuity: An interactive site that shows how biotechnology is used in a laboratory setting.
• What is Biotechnology?: An explanation of biotechnology and its functions from the Biotechnology Institution of the University System of Maryland.