<p>Although much is now known in the field of microbiology, advances are being made regularly. In actual fact, the most common estimates suggest that we have studied only about 1% of all of the microbes in any given environment. Thus, despite the fact that over three hundred years have passed since the discovery of microbes the field of microbiology is clearly in its infancy relative to other biological disciplines such as [[zoology]], [[botany]] or even [[entomology]].</p>

<p>==Types of microbiology==<br />The field of microbiology can be generally divided into several subdiscplines:<br />*'''Microbial physiology''': The study of how the microbial cell functions biochemically. Includes the study of microbial growth, microbial [[metabolism]] and microbial cell structure.<br />*'''Microbial genetics''': The study of how genes are organised and regulated in microbes in relation to their cellular functions. Closely related to the field of [[molecular biology]].<br />*'''Medical microbiology''': The study of the role of microbes in human illness. Includes the study of microbial [[pathogenesis]] and [[epidemiology]] and is related to the study of disease [[pathology]] and [[immunology]].<br />*'''Veterinary microbiology''': The study of the role in microbes in veterinary medicine.<br />*'''Environmental microbiology''': The study of the function and diversity of microbes in their natural environments. Includes the study of [[microbial ecology]], microbially-mediated [[nutrient cycle | nutrient cycling]], [[geomicrobiology]], microbial diversity and [[bioremediation]].<br />*'''Evolutionary microbiology''': The study of the evolution of microbes. Includes the study of bacterial [[systematics]] and [[taxonomy]].<br />*'''Industrial microbiology''': The exploitation of microbes for use in industrial processes. Examples include [[industrial fermentation]] and [[wastewater treatment]]. Closely linked to the [[biotechnology]] industry. This field also includes [[brewing]], an important application of microbiology.</p>