Microbiology in University College Dublin, Ireland

Microbiology in University College Dublin

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms known as micro-organisms or microbes. Microbes play a key role in every facet of life on this planet. For example, microbes have a major impact on the Earth’s climate by their metabolism of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. Microbes can be engineered to produce bioplastics and antibiotics or to clean up chemically polluted soil and water. Microbes protect us from colonisation by disease-causing organisms. However, some microbes cause disease, e.g. MRSA, AIDS, tuberculosis and meningitis. Microbiological research aims to find treatments for these and other infectious diseases.

Microbiologists are employed in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and food-related industries, hospitals and veterinary hospitals and related laboratories. They also find work in government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency where they are involved in research and development, process design and control, management and quality control. Many students opt to continue their undergraduate degree with an MSc or PhD graduate programme. These microbiologists play a key role in developing new drugs, finding novel ways to combat infectious diseases and designing new approaches to clean the environment and develop a green economy.