Bacteriology

Bacteriology is the study of bacteria and the archaeans microbes, single-celled organisms that comprise two major phylogenetic domains of life: the Bacteria and Archaea. Species belonging to these domains live either an independent (free-living) existence and play crucially important roles in the biosphere or form close symbiotic associations with higher organisms. The science of bacteriology developed from investigations of the nature of infectious disease, and medical bacteriology remains a major area of emphasis in microbiology research today. Bacteriology also played a major role in the development of molecular biology and genetics, including genetic engineering, and bacteria have traditionally been used as experimental tools for addressing seminal questions in basic biological research. More recently, bacteria have been harnessed to produce valuable commercial products and remove toxic pollutants from the environment. In contrast to multicellular organisms, Bacteria and Archaea are essential for maintaining the biosphere through biogeochemical cycling, and they are the foundation upon which all higher life on Earth is supported. Key Concepts The science of bacteriology is focused on Earth's tiniest living cells, the Bacteria and the Archaea. By comparing the sequences of key genes shared by all cells, bacteriological studies have revealed the evolutionary relationships of all life on Earth. Bacteriology is central to many subdisciplines of biology, including both environmental and medical microbiology. Bacteriology spawned the field of molecular biology and gave birth to the genomics revolution in biology. Industrial microbiology and biotechnology employ bacteria to make products of commercial value and rejuvenate polluted ecosystems through bioremediation.