AMR Future Brief| Exploring the Top 3 Trends in the Discipline of Microbiology

Microbiology, in the simplest terms, is the biological study of microorganisms. Thus, microbiology is a vast field that includes numerous specialty sciences in it. The birth of microbiology can be traced back to 1546 when Girolamo Fracastoro hypothesized that epidemics were a result of an infection caused by organisms that couldn’t be seen with the naked eye. However, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, in 1676, offered the breakthrough, who observed bacteria with a microscope. This opened a completely new dimension to the field of biology and for his contribution, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek is considered the father of microbiology.?

Ever since then, the field of microbiology has evolved massively, and ingenious innovations have come up in the past few years which have impacted almost every life sciences industry and the healthcare sector. Some of these innovations and technological advancements are discussed in this article.?

A modern gene-editing tool: CRISPR-Cas9 technology?

Advancements in biological studies have reached a level wherein researchers are now able to alter an organism’s DNA. This science of altering an organism’s gene is called gene editing, wherein genetic material can be added or removed at specific locations in the genes. Among all the technologies used for gene editing, CRISPR-Cas9 technology has become the most popular. The CRISPR-Cas9 technology relies on two molecules i.e., guide RNA which identifies the location in the genetic materials where the ‘cut’ has to be made for the addition or removal of genetic material. The Cas9 molecule, on the other hand, is responsible for the actual cutting of the genetic material.?

The CRISPR/Cas9 industry has witnessed tremendous growth in the past few years due to its increasing applications in the life sciences sector. Today, the CRISPR-Cas9 technology is widely used in different applications such as genetic engineering and pathogen diagnostics. Moreover, studies in metabolic engineering and CAR-T cell therapies rely on CRISPR-Cas9 technology as their foundation stone. Apart from the life sciences sector, technology has also played a huge role in the environmental sector. For instance, CRISPR-Cas9 technology has transformed the science of environmental bioremediation and has led to studies that seek to rebuild extinct animal species.?

How is the idea of microfluidics reshaping the field of microbiology??

Microfluidics refers to the manipulation of fluids at the scale of micrometers and nanometers. Thus, systems built around this scientific domain rely on capillary action to transfer, separate, or mix fluids at a very miniscule level. Microfluidic systems have played a vital role in expanding the scope of microbiology. Microbiologists now use these systems for studying cellular aging; these machines allow for tracking and monitoring of individual cells for several years until they finally perish. Thus, researchers can study a cell's lifecycle, the changes it undergoes in its lifetime, and how it behaves in its final stages. Experts believe that this will ultimately help them in answering various questions regarding the cause-and-effect relationship of different diseases.?

Apart from this, microfluidic systems also have huge applicability in molecular biology; these systems are widely used as part of liquid chromatography techniques which are employed for cell separation, cell manipulation, study of DNA, protein analysis, etc. These systems have also contributed to the betterment of cell vitality analysis techniques.?

Microbiology and omics technologies?

With the dawn of the second decade of the 21st century, molecular biology has been dominated by four omics and their associated technologies- genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. These four study approaches have led to the birth of large-scale data-rich biology.?

These technologies have been instrumental in helping microbiologists study different biological molecules, especially DNA and RNA. Along with this, the use of these technologies has given researchers new insights into the workings of proteins and metabolites. Furthermore, advancements in genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics have enabled medical experts to study microbial behavior at its most basic stages. Due to this knowledge of microbial behavior, scientists have identified the new strains of the microbe concerned and studied its mutation patterns. In turn, pharmaceutical companies using this knowledge have made advancements in terms of developing new microbial drugs. Omics technologies have thus played a vital role in drug discovery processes.??

Due to its vital contribution to microbiology, many companies and research laboratories are launching programs to support scientists and experts in omics technologies. For instance, STOmics, a leading platform for the study of omics technologies, announced the launch of the Spatial-Temporal Omics Grant Program to promote discoveries and innovations in the field of life sciences and molecular biology.??

To sum it up, the discipline of microbiology which was started in the 1600s has witnessed stunning transformation. With the advent of genetic editing technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9, the domain of gene manipulation has expanded hugely. Moreover, the development of microfluidic systems and omics technologies have opened new avenues in the field of molecular biology and life sciences.??

For an in-depth analysis of the growth drivers and investment opportunities in the field of microbiology, feel free to contact our experts!?

? **?????????????? ????????????: Akhilesh Prabhugaonkar?

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