Microscopes and Microbiology

The Dawn of Microbiology

• Microscopes played a critical role in the emergence of microbiology, revealing a world previously invisible.
• Robert Hooke: Published the first depiction of a microorganism and coined the term "cell."

Key Figures in Early Microbiology

• Antonie van Leeuwenhoek: The "Father of Microbiology", was the first to observe bacteria using self-made microscopes.
• Van Leeuwenhoek's microscopes: Magnified up to 275x and he documented various microorganisms and structures.
• Early Hypotheses: Prior to confirmation some hypothesized the existence of microorganisms and their role in disease.

Advancements in Microscopy

• Light Microscopy: Still a foundational technique for observing microorganisms, especially in resource-limited settings.
• Fluorescence Microscopy: Uses fluorescent markers (e.g., GFP) to highlight specific cells or cellular components.
• Nobel Prize: The developers of GFP received a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2008.

Electron Microscopy and its Impact

• Electron Microscopy: Overcomes the limitations of light microscopy by using electron beams, achieving much higher resolutions.
• TEM: Used for structural analyses of thin samples in 2D.
• SEM: Allows scientists to view the surface of samples in 3D.
• Cryo-EM: Uses cryogenic freezing to preserve protein structures, enabling the study of proteins without crystallization.
• Applications: The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein structure was reconstructed using cryo-EM.

Nanotechnology

• Carbon Nanotubes: Their discovery was enabled by electron microscopy, and have uses in materials science and microelectronics.

Conclusion

• Microscopes: Have revolutionized our understanding of the microscopic world.
• Advancements: With advancements in microscopy techniques, new discoveries continue to be made.