私たちの生活を取り巻く環境には実に多くの微生物が存在します。カビ、キノコ等の菌類、原生生物、バクテリア、古細菌、ウィルス等、微生物は生態系にとって欠かせない存在です。微生物学は生命科学分野で最も勢いのある分野の一つで、その発展は医学、農業、生物工学にも多大な影響を与えています。従来の顕微鏡法に加え、最新の遺伝子診断、DNAシークエンシング、ゲノム解析、遺伝子操作にも言及します。
 

• Introduces the field of microbiology and its importance within the life sciences
• Describes the modern understanding of the vast range of microorganisms and their habitats
• Looks at the critical role of microbes in ecosystems, including the human body
• Explores the many important applications of microbiology in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology

 
In recent decades we have come to realize that the microbial world is hugely diverse, and can be found in the most extreme environments. Fungi, single-celled protists, bacteria, archaea, and the vast array of viruses and sub-viral particles far outnumber plants and animals. Microbes, we now know, play a critical role in ecosystems, in the chemistry of atmosphere and oceans, and within our bodies. The field of microbiology, armed with new techniques from molecular biology, is now one of the most vibrant in the life sciences.

In this Very Short Introduction Nicholas P. Money explores not only the traditional methods of microscopy and laboratory culture but also the modern techniques of genetic detection and DNA sequencing, genomic analysis, and genetic manipulation. In turn he demonstrates how advances in microbiology have had a tremendous impact on the areas of medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.
 
 
REVIEWS:
"For individuals from all backgrounds who need a succinct yet complete introduction to microbiology, this book is an ideal resource, and readers can use this book as a springboard into a wide variety of other topics in microbiology by using the resources for further reading provided at the end of the book." - R. K. Harris, CHOICE