Microbiology in the New Millennium

1.2.13. Microbiology in the New Millennium

The major thrust in the specialized domain of ‘microbiology’ got a tremendous boost in speed and momentum during the twentieth century towards the development of judicious control and manage- ment of infectious human diseases ; elaborated studies in immunity profile ; as exceptionally attractive models for investigating fundamental life processes viz., activities related to metabolizing, growing, reproducing, aging, and dying ; and microbes’ broad spectrum physiological and biochemical potenti- alities than all other organisms combined. In addition, the science of microorganisms have propogated other allied disciplines, for instance : biochemistry, genetics, genetic engineering, molecular biology, and the like.

Historic revelation of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), which being the key to life and genetics, was duly discovered by two world famous biologists Watson and Crick. DNA forms the basic funda-

* A special type of virus-bacterial cell interaction maintained by a complex cellular regulatory mechanism. Bacterial strains freshly isolated from their natural environment may contain a low concentration of bacteriophage. This phage will lyse other related bacteria. Cultures that contain these substances are said to

be lysogenic. ** A rod-shaped, Gram-negative, non pathogenic soil and water bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen ; the

single genus of the family Azotobacteraceae.

PHARMACEUTICAL MICROBIOLOGY

mental structure of each and every chromosome in the precise shape of a ‘double-helix’.* In fact, microorganisms helped extensively and intensively in the better understanding of the exact mechanism whereby the most critical and valuable information meticulously stored in the ‘genetic material’ is ultimately transcribed and subsequently translated into proteins. Later on, Escherichia coli i.e., a colon bacterium, served as a via-media or a common tool for the geneticists, microbiologists, and biochem- ists to decepher the intricacies of various cellular processes. The concerted research inputs made by Nirenberg, Khorana, Holley, Jacob, Monod, and a plethora of others substantiated copious informations to the present day knowledge of the living systems, of course, making use of the microorganisms. It is, however, pertinent to mention at this juncture that microbes are being skilfully and gainfully utilized to grasp the meaning with respect to the control mechanisms directly involved in cell division as well as

reproduction.

As to date ‘microbiology’ has marked with a dent an altogether separate identity and distinct branch of biology having an established close relationship with biochemistry and genetics. It has pro- gressively and aggressively emerged into an intriguing subject over the years because each and every specific area in microbiology has virtually expanded into a large specialized subject in itself, namely : dairy microbiology, environmental microbiology, food microbiology, industrial microbiology, medical microbiology, sanitary microbiology, and soil microbiology. Importantly, newer techniques exploring and exploiting microorganisms for gainful and economically viable products of interest have always been the focus of attention across the globe. In the same vein, the absolute control and management of certain non-productive and troublesome species have always remained another virile and fertile area of interest in ‘microbiology’, which ultimately yielding definitely not only a purer product but also aug- mented the end-product to a considerable extent.

There are ample evidences cited in the scientific literatures with respect to enormous utilization of the microorganisms to understand both biology and the prevailing intricacies of various biological processes towards the last two decades of the twentieth century and the early part of the New Millen- nium. Besides, microbes have been adequately exploited particularly as ‘cloning vehicles’. In this con- text one may always bear in mind that E. coli and other microorganisms have been used extensively in order to carry out the spectacular piece of most innovative inventions of the century, for instance : (a) cloning specific segments of DNA ; (b) large-scale production of vital chemicals hitherto synthesized by tedious high-cost chemical routes, e.g., acetic acid, ethanol, citric acid, a variety of antibiotics, and steroids.

The microbiological transformations have beneficially led to the production of a good number of steroid variants from progesterone as illustrated under :

* This is like a twisted rubber ladder. Each rung of the ladder is formed by a set combination of amino acids that form a code. Segments of that code form a gene. Only four chemicals make up the code : adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). A always pairs with T, and G with C, allowing exact reproduc- tion of the chromosome.

INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE

(1) Streptomyces lavendulae (2) Actinomycetes

OH

(3) Mucorales

Progesterone α 14 -Hydroxy Progesterone

(1) Rhizopus sp.

CH 3

(2) R. nigricans ; R. arrhizus ;

C=O

(3) Mucorales Aspergillus sp. ; &

Dactylium dendroides ;

HO

(4) Aspergillus & Rhizopus & Dactylium dendroides

α 11 -Hydroxy Progesterone

(1) Cylindrocarpon radicicola

(2) Aspergillus & Penicillium sp. (3) Gliocladium catenulatum (4) Streptomyces lavendulae &

Fusarium sp. (5) Glicocladium, Aspergillus,

Penicillium, Fusarium sp. O

4-Androstene-3, 17-dione

The New Millennium shall witness the remarkable innovations and paramount advancements in the latest recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology that has virtually revolutionized the bright futuristic growth and prospects of manupulating the exceptionally unique ‘genetic combine’ of a microorganism, plant, animal, and human being to fit into the appropriate requirements for the upliftment of humanity in particular and remove the sufferings of the mankind in general. In true sense, the recombinant DNA is considered to be a wonderful novel piece of artistic creation so as to accomplish a controlled recombina- tion which essentially gives rise to such techniques whereby either genes or other segments of relatively large chromsomes may be segregated, replicated, and studied exhaustively by suitable nucleic acid sequencing, and electron microscopy. Thus, biotechnology has really undergone a see change by means of two vital and important technological advancements viz., rDNA, and genetic engineering in order to expand enormously the inherent potentials of microorganisms, fungi, viruses, and yeast cells ultimately turning into highly sophisticated and specialized miniature biochemical units.