Foundations in Microbiology 8th Edition

Book Preface

The beauty of microorganisms

If you were taking a survey of people on the street about their impression of microorganisms, you would not have to look very far to find someone with a rather negative vision, probably gleaned from commercials, of unsightly, disease-causing germs swarming around everywhere, lying in waiting for unsuspecting victims. But we’d like to think that, after looking through a microscope focused on a drop of pond water, most people would have their eyes opened, both literally and figuratively, by the astonishing images they see. A glimpse of the microbial world often surprises us with unusual and bizarre forms of great beauty and complexity, from the crystalline perfection of a virus to fantastic colors and shapes of algae. It is with this realization that we are featuring magnified views of interesting and striking microorganisms set in the context of a case study at the start of most chapters. Even our cover, depicting a glass sculpture of the H1N1 influenza virus, reflects a trend of embracing microorganisms as an inspiration for artistic works. Although a major intent of this textbook is to promote your understanding of the effects of microbes on humans and their involvement in diseases, we also aspire to communicate our appreciation and awe for these tiniest creatures and to provide insights into the tremendous impact they have on every facet of the earth. It is our hope that, in  time, you too will become an advocate for microorganisms and help educate others about their importance, and perhaps even their beauty. Happy reading. . .

—Kathleen Park Talaro and Barry Chess