UoK - Department of MicroBiology : Introduction

MicroBiology is an exceptionally diverse science consisting of Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Pathogenic, Food, And Industrial MicroBiology And Microbial Ecology. The study of microorganisms and their products cannot be overemphasized .They are necessary for the production of bread , cheese , antibiotics , vaccines , vitamins , enzymes and many other important products and processes. Microbes serve as the basis and the major tools in the fields of Molecular Biology, Modern Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. They are indispensable components of our ecosystem. Unfortunately some microbes are responsible for serious infections in humans and animals causing lot of suffering and mortality.

MicroBiology is a broad discipline which has both basic and applied aspects. Many microbiologists are interested primarily in the biology of the microorganisms themselves whereas others may be interested in particular functional processes. Some microbiologists may have an applied orientation and would be interested in practical problems in the fields of medical, food, dairy and public health MicroBiology. Since basic research is also conducted in the applied field, a medical microbiologist must have good understanding of microbial taxonomy, genetics, immunology and physiology in order to identify the potential causative pathogen.

HISTORY:
The Department of MicroBiology at Karachi University was born in the Fall of 1957 due to the devoted endeavors and pioneering efforts of Prof. Dr. A. A. Anwer - founder chairman. He is without doubt the true Father of MicroBiology in our country, and one of the most inspiring teachers I have known. First year Honors and M. Sc. Previous classes were initiated in 1957 with only one full time teacher (Prof. Dr. Anwer) and a part time Student teacher (Late Prof. Dr. Misbahuddin Siddiqui) in the old University building in the city. When the department was moved to the present building in 1972, there were eight PhDs and six M. Sc.s in the teaching staff and the number of students had swelled up from 22 to 200. Presently, there are thirty qualified teaching faculty members for more than 1200 students. More than half of the teachers hold Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from the acclaimed Universities of U.K. USA. , U.S.S.R and Pakistan. Many of our teachers have post- doctoral research experience and have presented their research work in National and International Seminars. Most of the teachers are pursuing a vigorous research program within their limited resources. In the presence of limited facilities, the department has accomplished respectable goals. Considering the lack of funds, sophisticated instrumentation, acute shortage of lab and lecture space research activities of the department though feeble, have been commendable in comparison to other Universities of the country. Publication of research papers, monographs has been escalating in the recent past.