CHAPTER 1.

B: DIVISIONS OF MICROBIOLOGY Systems A discipline bridging systems

“Pure and Applied Microbiology” Microbiology biology and microbiology
Molecular Study of molecular principles of
Topic 1: Pure Microbiology Microbiology the physiological processes of
 Deals with the deeper study of a group of microorganisms
microorganisms to better understand their Nano Study of microorganisms on Nano
characteristics Microbiology level
 Taxonomic Arrangement and Integrative Exo Study of Microorganisms in outer
Arrangement Microbiology or space
Astro
Taxonomic Arrangement Microbiology
 Taxonomy ---> “arrangement law” Biological Study of microorganisms used in
 Science of classifying organisms to construct Agents weapon industries
internationally shared classification systems
BACTERIOLOGY Study of bacteria
MYCOLOGY Study of fungi Topic 2: Applied Microbiology
PROTOZOOLOGY Study of protozoans  Deals with the study of microorganisms for the
PARASITOLOGY Study of parasites sole purpose of benefits to humanity.
NEMATOLOGY Study of nematodes Medical Microbiology
IMMUNOLOGY Study of immune system  Study of pathogenic microbes and the role of
VIROLOGY Study of virus microbes in human illness.
PHYCOLOGY/ALGOLOGY Study of algae  Includes microbial pathogenesis and
epidemiology
Integrative Arrangement  Related to the study of disease pathology and
 Serving or intending to unify separate system immunology
Microbial Study of microscopic and sub  Study of the interactions between men and the
Cytology microscopic details of microorganisms in which they co-exist
microorganism
Pharmaceutical Microbiology
Microbial Study of how microbial cells  Study of microorganisms related to the
Physiology function biochemically
production of antibiotics, enzymes, vitamins,
Microbial Study of relationships of vaccines and other pharmaceutical products and
Ecology microorganisms and their that cause pharmaceutical contamination and
environment spoil.
Microbial Study of how genes are organized
Genetics and related in microbes in relation Industrial Microbiology
to their cellular functions  The exploitation of microbes used in industrial
Cellular A discipline bridging microbiology processes.
Microbiology and cell biology  Fermentation, waste water treatment,
Evolutionary Study of evolution of microbes. biotechnology, brewing
Microbiology Microbial Taxonomy: Study of Microbial Biotechnology
naming and classification of  The manipulation of microbes at the genetic and
microorganisms molecular levels to generate useful products.
Microbial Systematics: Study of Food Microbiology
diversity and genetic relationship  The study of microorganisms causing food
of microorganisms spoilage and food borne illness.
Generation Study of those microorganisms  Uses microorganisms to produce food as in
Microbiology that have the same characters as fermentation.
their parents
ABIERA, L.
RMT 2026
 8. Autoclave room
Agricultural Microbiology 9. Reagents/ Supplies storage area
 Study of agriculturally relevant microorganisms 10. Donning and doffing area
 Plant Microbiology / Plant Pathology - Study 11. Isolation room (for processing of AFB and
of interaction between plant Fungi), if applicable
microorganisms and plant pathogens. 12. Separate rooms for specialized molecular
 Soil Microbiology - Study of microorganisms based tests
in soil 13. Space for expansion, if applicable
Veterinary Microbiology Separate rooms should be provided for other
 Study of role of microbes in veterinary medicine functions
or animal taxonomy 1. Office
Environmental Microbiology 2. Record Storage
 Study of function and diversity of microbes in 3. Restroom
their natural environment 4. Lounge/ Pantry
5. Library/ Conference Room
Water/ Aquatic Microbiology  There should be adequate and suitable space for
 Study of microorganisms found in water all activities to avoid contamination
Aeromicrobiology/ Air Microbiology  CDC recommends 200sq. ft. to accommodate 2-
 Study of airborne microorganisms 3 persons
Wall and Floor
Topic 3: Considerations in Organizing Microbiology
Laboratory Wall painted with epoxy for easy cleaning for spill
 Depends on the complexity of testing and the accidents
types of microorganisms to be identified: Floor Vinyl composition tiles are the most
1. Facility Requirements economical and effective floor covering. It
2. Equipment must also be coved with 3/8-inch radius
3. Supplies and Reagents minimum.
4. Manpower Other Considerations
5. License to Operate  Close proximity of rooms with related functions
6. Daily Operations (waste treatment and wash area)
Facility Requirements  Hallways should be at least five feet wide to
 Architects, Engineers and Contractors are hired allow people to pass each other
to design and construct the Microbiology  Work areas for potentially infectious organisms
Laboratory are located in the most secluded and secured
 Medical Technologists should take an active role spaces
in ensuring that the design and layout conforms  Offices should be located near the front
with the standard: Work flow, Efficiency, Safety entrance and away from potentially
contaminated and odor producing activities
In a typical clinical microbiology laboratory, space is
allocated for each area. Safety Considerations
1. Receiving of specimen and accessioning  Fire extinguishers and blankets should be readily
2. Labeling and processing available throughout the work area
3. Staining and light microscopy  Spill cart should be readily accessible and should
4. Dark room (for dark-field and fluorescence contain first aid supplies, PPE and kits to clean
microscopy), if applicable up radioactive, acid, alkali, corrosive and
5. Open benches for routine specimen work up infectious materials
6. Waste disposal  Have automatic fire / smoke detection systems
7. Media preparation and glassware wash area and sprinklers installed

ABIERA, L.
RMT 2026
 Follow guidelines in the proper storage of Topic 4: Basic Microbiologic Equipment, Reagents,
chemicals and Supplies
 Two means of exit should be planned in case of
fire EQUIPMENTS
 All electrical outlets should be grounded  Microscope with Oil  Weighing Scale
 Emergency shower and eyewash station should - immersion  Biosafety cabinet
be centrally located in the laboratory objective (Class II Type A)
 Ideally, Emergency shower and eyewash station  Staining Rack  Water Bath
should be installed 100 feet from each work  Bunsen Burner  Candle Jar
area  Incubator  Table Lamp
 Laboratory staff should reach the emergency  Drying Oven  Electric/Gas Stove
shower and eyewash station in 10 seconds  Autoclave /Magnetic Stirrer
 Emergency shower and eyewash station should  Refrigerator  Nephelometer
be supplied with cold water.  Centrifuge  Laboratory
Reasons why Emergency Shower and Eyewash  Electric /Loop Thermometer
Station be supplied with cold water Incinerator  Calibrated
 Slow the reaction rate of the splashed chemical (Bacticinerator) Inoculating Loops
 Constrict blood vessels and minimize circulation
of an absorbed chemical REAGENTS
 Slow cellular metabolism and enzyme reaction Biochemical Tests Control Strains (ATCC)
rates  Conventional  Pseudomonas
 Help alleviate the pain of chemical contact Method aeruginosa
 Commercially  Staphylococcus
Furniture
Prepared aureus
 Flexible furniture systems that can be
Gram Stain Kit  Escherichia coli
disassembled and moved
Acid Fast Stain Kit Sensitivity Disk/
 Bench tops should be impervious to water and
10% KOH Antimicrobial Disk
resistant to acids, alkalis, organic solvents and
Culture Media Mc Farland Standard
moderate heat (cast resin, quarried stone,
(0.5)
particle board or wood cores with acid resistant
plastic laminate surfaces and stainless steel)
SUPPLIES
 Benches have a standard depth of 30 inches
 Frosted Slides  Timer
Ceiling  Inoculating  Graduated Cylinder
 Acoustic tile ceilings = biosafety level 1 and 2 Loop/Inoculating  Beaker
facilities Needles  Petri dish
 Sealed sheetrock or plaster ceilings with three  Applicator Sticks  Glass Pipettes
coats of epoxy paint = biosafety level 3 facilities  Filter Paper  Erlenmeyer Flask
 Swabs  Aluminum Foil
 Forceps  Sterile disposable
 Cover Slips specimen containers
 Caliper/Ruler

ABIERA, L.
RMT 2026
Manpower Minimum Requirements  Stage – supports the slide
 Clinical Pathologist  Nosepiece – hold the objective lenses and can
 Medical Technologists be turned to increase the magnification
 Certificate of training on DSSM for  Objective lenses - The three lenses with
laboratories with AFB services different powers that magnifies the object on
 Certificate of training on Bacteriology the stage
(Tertiary category)  10 X – Low Power Objective, yellow (LPO)
 Certificate of training on Biosafety and  40 X – High Power Objective, blue (HPO)
Biosecurity  100 X – Oil Immersion Objective, white (OIO)
 Duty hours: Minimum of 8 hours; Maximum of  Ocular Lenses/ Eyepiece - The eyepiece lenses
12 hours through which the object on stage is viewed;
 Additional staff depends on workload: (10 Can be monocular or binocular; Usually provide
minutes/ test) additional magnification of 5 or 10 times.
 Manual testing: 50 tests/RMT/8 hours or Proper Use of Microscope
Manual testing: 75 tests/RMT/12 hours 1. Always carry the microscope with two (2) hands.
 Automated testing: 100 tests/RMT/8 hours or One hand beneath the base and the other hand
Automated testing: 150 tests/RMT/12 hours on the arm of the
 Additional staff for other duties will be 2. microscope.
determined by the head of laboratory 3. Do not tilt the microscope, instead, adjust your
License to Operate stool so you can comfortably use the instrument.
AO 2007-0027 4. Clean the microscope lenses with lens paper and
Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the lens cleaner. Do not use paper towels, they can
Licensure and Regulation of Clinical Laboratories in scratch the lenses.
the Philippines 5. After using the microscope, place the LPO in line
Downloadable Forms: with the ocular, lower the tube to its lowest
 Assessment Tool for Licensing a General Clinical position, clean the oil from
Laboratory and Service Capability of General 6. the oil immersion lens with lens paper and lens
Clinical Laboratory cleaner.
7. Do not remove the oculars or any other parts
Topic 4: Basic Microbiologic Equipment, Reagents, from the body of the microscope.
and Supplies 8. cover the microscope after use and return to its
 Base – holds the light source; supports the rest proper storage place.
of the microscope Hints and Precautions
 Illuminator – Provides the source of light; A. Forcing the fine or coarse adjustment knobs
located at the base beyond their gentle stopping points can render
 Coarse Adjustment Knob – allows either the the microscope useless
stage or the nosepiece to be slowly raised or B. The lower the magnification, the less light
lowered to provide initial focusing should be directed upon the object
 Fine Adjustment Knob – this knob moves the C. The fine adjustment knob should be centered
stage slightly to sharpen the image prior to use to allow for maximum adjustment in
 Abbe Condenser – collects and concentrates the either direction
light upward though the object on the stage; D. If slide is inadvertently placed upside down on
contains iris diaphragm the stage, low and high power can be focused
 Diaphragm – controls the amount of light on the but it will be impossible to
slide/ specimen E. bring the object into focus using OIO.
 Arm – used to support the microscope when
carried. Holds the body tube, nosepiece and
objective lenses.
ABIERA, L.
RMT 2026
F. Slides should always be placed on and removed
from the stage when the low power objective is
in place. Removing a
G. slide when the higher objectives are in position
may scratch the lenses.
H. Those who wear eyeglasses to correct near-
sightedness or far-sightedness need not use
their eyeglasses when focusing
I. the microscope.
J. Those who wear eyeglasses for astigmatism
must wear their eyeglasses when focusing the
microscope. Microscope
K. cannot correct for astigmatism.
L. Eyeglasses should not touch the oculars for
proper viewing, either the oculars or the
eyeglasses might be scratched.

ABIERA, L.
RMT 2026