Microbiology deals with the study of living organisms of microscopic size. The methods used to study and manipulate these minute and mostly unicellular organisms differ from those used in most other biological investigations.

Medical Microbiology

Medical microbiology is the subdivision concerned with the causative agents of infectious disease of man, the response of the host to infection & various methods of diagnosis, treatment & prevention.

History of Microbiology

The 17th-century discovery of living forms existing invisible to the naked eye was a significant milestone in the history of science. From the 13th century onward, it had been postulated that “invisible” entities were responsible for decay and disease. The word microbe was coined in the last quarter of the 19th century to describe these organisms, all of which were thought to be related. As microbiology eventually developed into a specialized science, it was found that microbes are a very large group of extremely diverse organisms.

Development of the Microscope

Microbiology essentially began with the development of the microscope. Although others may have seen microbes before him, it was Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, a Dutch draper whose hobby was lens grinding and making microscopes, who was the first to provide proper documentation of his observations. His descriptions and drawings included protozoans from the guts of animals and bacteria from teeth scrapings. His records were excellent because he produced magnifying lenses of exceptional quality. Leeuwenhoek conveyed his findings in a series of letters to the British Royal Society during the mid-1670s.

Expansion of Microbiology

Microbiology has expanded beyond recognition with various medical specialties. To treat bacterial infections, modern antibiotics were discovered after the 1940s. The development of molecular biology, molecular genetics, recombinant DNA technology, PCR, etc., in the last 40 years has revolutionized the understanding of the structure of microorganisms, their virulence, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine. Some viral diseases like poliomyelitis, with significant morbidity & mortality, have been eradicated from the globe and from the majority of countries by the availability of potent and efficient vaccines, and many more will be eradicated in the coming years from the planet.

Department Facilities

The Department of Microbiology also has a fully functional ICTC and hospital infection control unit. The Department of Microbiology is commanding in COVID-19 testing.

Education and Training

The Department of Microbiology gives quality education to MD and MBBS students. Academic training is given to students in the form of discussions, lectures, seminars, and guest lectures.

Faculty

1. Dr. Sanjeev Dimri - Professor and HOD
2. Dr. Krati Varshney - Professor
3. Dr. Ajanta Datta - Associate Professor
4. Dr. Gunjan Dutta - Associate Professor
5. Dr. Kamya Verma - Associate Professor
6. Dr. Kavita Kumari - Assistant Professor
7. Dr. Suman Tiwari - Senior Resident
8. Dr. Harish Verma - Demonstrator

Recent Achievements

• NABL accredited molecular lab in 2020
• Celebrated World Polio Day – Oct 2023
• Hepatitis awareness programme - 2023
• Guest lectures in January and March 2024

Facilities Available in the Department

The laboratories in the Department include different sections like Bacteriology, Parasitology, Mycology, Infectious disease Serology, Virology, Immunology, Mycobacteriology, and Molecular Biology which are fully functional round the clock.

All laboratories of the department are well equipped with almost all the advanced facilities for clinical diagnostics and research such as automated culture system for blood (Bact/Alert 3D), and culture sensitivity system, RT PCR for COVID–19, HCV is available.

Laboratory Capacities

S.No	Facility	Capacity
1	Practical lab	75 students
2	Post Graduate Research lab

Bacteriology Lab

S.No	Name of the test
1	CULTURE & SENSITIVITY (AEROBIC)
2	BLOOD CULTURE BY BACT/ALERT
3	GRAM STAIN
4	ZIEHL NEELSEN STAIN

Serology Lab

S.No	Name of the test
1	ASO
2	CRP QUANTITATIVE
3	WIDAL TEST
4	RAPID PLASMA REAGIN (RPR)
5	RA FACTOR
6	C REACTIVE PROTEIN (CRP)
7	SALMONELLA IgG & IgM Ab (IMMUNOCHROMATOGRAPHY)

Virology Lab

S.No	Name of the test
1	HBsAg RAPID TEST
2	HCV ANTIBODY RAPID TEST
3	DENGUE NS1, IgM & IgG RAPID CARD
4	HIV RAPID CARD

Parasitology Lab

S.No	Name of the test
1	STOOL HANGING DROP PREPARATION FOR VIBRIO CHOLERAE
2	STOOL FOR OCCULT BLOOD
3	STOOL ROUTINE MICROSCOPY (OVA/CYST)
4	MALARIA ANTIGEN RAPID TEST
5	PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR FOR MALARIAL PARASITE
6	MODIFIED ZN STAIN FOR COCCIDIAN PARASITES

Mycology Lab

S.No	Name of the test
1	KOH-MOUNT
2	CULTURE & SENSITIVITY FUNGAL
3	INDIA INK MOUNT FOR CRYPTOCOCCUS

T.B. Lab

S.No	Name of the test
1	AFB STAIN
2	CULTURE TB
3	ZN STAIN FOR MYCOBACTERIUM LEPRAE

Our Vision

The vision of the Department of Microbiology is that the knowledge in practical & theory aspects of Microbiology is essential for the development of the institute.

Our Mission

The Department considers its mission as to produce personnel with expertise of the highest standard in the field of Microbiology to increase the demand for microbiologists.