MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY: the manipulation of microorganisms at the genetic and molecular level to generate useful products.

FOOD MICROBIOLOGY: the study of microorganisms causing food spoilage and foodborne illness, using microorganisms to produce foods, for example by fermentation.

AGRICULTURAL MICROBIOLOGY: the study of agriculturally relevant microorganisms. This field can be further classified into the following:

• Plant microbiology and Plant pathology: The study of the interactions between microorganisms and plants and plant pathogens.

• Soil microbiology: the study of those microorganisms that are found in soil.

VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY: the study of the role of microbes in veterinary medicine or animal taxonomy.

ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY: the study of the function and diversity of microbes in their natural environments. This involves the characterization of key bacterial habitats such as the rhizosphere and phyllosphere, soil and groundwater ecosystems, open oceans or extreme environments (extremophiles). This field includes other branches of microbiology such as:

• Microbial ecology

• Microbially mediated nutrient cycling

• Geomicrobiology

• Microbial diversity

• Bioremediation

WATER MICROBIOLOGY (OR AQUATIC MICROBIOLOGY): The study of those microorganisms that are found in water.