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Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are microscopic and unicellular organisms. This includes eukaryotes such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes. Viruses, though not classed as living organisms, are also studied. Microbiology typically includes the study of the immune system, or Immunology. And immune systems obviously interact with pathogenic microbes.

Microbiology includes virology, mycology, parasitology, bacteriology and other branches. Microbiological procedures usually must be aseptic, and use a variety of tools such as light microscopes with a combination of stains and dyes, agar plates in petri dishes, biochemical test and running tests against particular growth conditions.

Microbiology is researched actively. Many microbes are responsible for beneficial processes such as industrial fermentation, antibiotic production and others.

Bacteria can be used for the industrial production of amino acids. Corynebacteriumglutamicum is one of the most important bacterial species with an annual production of more than two million tons of amino acids. Microorganisms produce a variety of biopolymers, such as polysaccharides, polyesters, and polyamides. Microorganisms are used for the biotechnological production of biopolymers with tailored properties suitable for high-value medical application such as tissue engineering and drug delivery.

Microorganisms are beneficial for microbial biodegradation of domestic, agricultural and industrial wastes. The ability of each microorganism to degrade toxic waste depends on the nature of each contaminant.

There are also various claims concerning the contributions to human and animal health by consuming probiotics (bacteria potentially beneficial to the digestive system) and/or prebiotics (substances consumed to promote the growth of probiotic microorganisms). Recent research has suggested that microorganisms could be useful in the treatment of cancer.