M.Sc in Microbiology

About the course Microbiology- Micro-organisms affect every aspect of life on Earth. Some microbes cause disease but the majorities are completely harmless. These minute life forms are essential to the cycling of nutrients in the eco-systems of the planet. The activities of micro-organisms can also be harnessed by biotechnologists in many ways to benefit mankind, such as in the production of foodstuffs or the treatment of disease and waste. Recent advances in molecular biology and genetics could not have been developed without the use of microbiology. We need to understand the role of microbes in global terms, but there are many aspects of our daily lives where knowledge of microbiology can be really useful. Microbe is an organism that is microscopic (usually too small to be seen by the naked human eye). The study of microorganisms is called microbiology.

Biotechnology, which often uses microbes or their products, is a fast-growing area of science. Some of the techniques used, such as genetic modification, cause public concern. Good understandings of the science behind such microbes are of such biological, economic and social significance, it is important that controversial issues enable balanced judgements to be made.
Since microbiology is a part of everyone’s education
Research and Development

• Molecular Microbiology
  Development of molecular techniques for the identification of bacteria in field samples (PCR, cloning, 16S rDNA sequencing). Development of primers for the screening of populations from oil field samples for sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Development of molecular methods for the analysis of population shifts in specific environments. Development of molecular methods for the identification of microbial populations in reservoir cores.
• Nitrates
  Investigating the mechanisms of nitrate treatment and bacterial population shift to prevent souring and remediate SRB contamination.
• Biocides
  Screening of chemicals for their applicability as oilfield biocides. Development of laboratory systems to assess biocide performance against sessile bacteria in biofilms.
• Bioremediation
  Development of biological products for odour control, oil spill clean-up, drill cutting remediation, effluent treatment, septic tank treatments, etc.
• Oil Reservoir
  Studies on the mechanisms of well damage caused by bacteria and their impact on oil production. Microbial Enhanced Hydrocarbon Recovery from ageing oilfields. Use of biological mechanisms to prevent (and remove) hydrogen sulphide souring of oil reservoirs under waterflood