Microbiology is crucial for human health as it helps identify pathogens, diagnose infections, develop vaccines and antibiotics, and supports public health measures like sanitation, immunization and hospital infection control
It underpins our understanding of the human microbiome, showing how microbes aid digestion, produce essential nutrients, influence mental and physical health, and protect against disease
Microbes regulate global nutrient cycles by recycling carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and other elements, which maintains ecosystem balance and supports plant and animal life
Essential in industry and biotechnology, microbes are used in fermentation to produce food (cheese, yogurt, bread), biofuels, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, antibiotics and other bioproducts
Agricultural applications rely on microbes as biofertilizers, biopesticides, soil fertility enhancers, helping to reduce chemical input and support sustainable farming
They play a key role in environmental remediation, such as biodegradation and bioremediation of pollutants, and waste treatment
Microbes drive scientific research and innovation, providing fast-growth models for genetic studies, revealing evolution and gene functions, and enabling genetic engineering like producing human insulin
